SCIENZE BIOMEDICHE II

Module Fisiologia

1. Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• know the fundamental principles of general physiology and of the main systems of the human body;
• understand the physiological mechanisms underlying auditory and vestibular function;
• explain the processes of sensory transduction, neural conduction, and central integration of the acoustic signal;
• Central auditory pathway: know the stages of auditory signal transmission from the cochlear nerve to the cerebral cortex.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to:

• apply physiological principles to the reading and interpretation of basic audiological data;
• correlate the physiological mechanisms of hearing with simple functional conditions of audioprosthetic interest;
• interpret auditory function in relation to the nature of sound (frequency, intensity).

3. Making judgements
The student will be able to:

• distinguish physiological conditions from basic functional alterations of hearing;
• critically evaluate simple physiological data under supervision;
• integrate information from different sources (clinical and instrumental) to formulate an initial functional assessment;
• recognize the limits of their professional scope.

4. Communication skills
The student will be able to:

• use appropriate scientific terminology to describe physiological phenomena;
• clearly communicate relevant physiological principles to colleagues and users;
• describe hearing mechanisms in a simple and understandable way.

5. Learning skills
The student will be able to:

• independently consult basic scientific sources in physiology;
• integrate physiological knowledge with professional coursework;
• develop an autonomous and continuous study method in the biomedical field.

Frontal lessons. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Mandatory attendance

Sensory Coding 
The Somatosensory System: Receptors and Central Pathways 
Touch 

Pain 

The Constructive Nature of Visual Processing

Low-Level Visual Processing: The Retina 

The Inner Ear 

The Auditory Central Nervous System 

The Organization and Planning of Movement 

Striated muscle
The Motor Unit and Muscle Action 
Spinal Reflexes 

The Control of Gaze 

The Vestibular System 
Posture 
The Cerebellum 
The Basal Ganglia 

Hormones

1) Silverthorn: Fisiologia, un approccio integrato. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana;

2)  Purves-Augustine-Fitzpatrick-Hall-LaMantia-McNamara-White: Neuroscienze. Zanichelli. 

Oral Examination. The assessment of learning may also be conducted online, should conditions require it. Evaluation is expressed on a scale of thirty. The examinee will be required to answer a minimum of three to four questions covering all parts of the syllabus. The student must demonstrate, with appropriate clarity and argumentation skills, an organic knowledge and understanding of the course content. The evaluation criteria are as follows:

i) Excellent (grade 30–30 with honors): thorough knowledge and understanding of the topics, excellent command of language, and advanced ability to apply knowledge to the resolution of proposed problems;

ii) Good (grade 26–29): good mastery of the topics and appropriate use of language, with a solid ability to apply acquired knowledge to problem-solving;

iii) Fair (grade 22–25): adequate knowledge of the course content, though lacking full understanding of its more complex aspects, and limited ability to autonomously apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems;

iv) Sufficient (grade 18–21): superficial understanding of the program, minimal basic knowledge of the topics, difficulties in solving exercises and problems, and limited language proficiency;

v) Insufficient: lack of understanding of the basic topics, limited and fragmented knowledge of the course content.

Students with disabilities or neurodiversity will be provided with compensatory tools and exemption measures as identified by CInAP – Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion of the University of Catania, based on their specific needs and in accordance with current regulations.

What is meant by tonotopy in the cochlea?

Function of inner hair cells.

Tell me about the 4 properties of the stimulus that the CNS must distinguish: sensory modality, location, intensity and duration

Does the amplitude of an action potential decrease along the nerve fiber?