Human Physiology Course
Master the Language of the Human Body
Human Physiology is the cornerstone of medical and health sciences. This course provides a comprehensive, system-by-system exploration of how the human body functions—at the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole-body level. You’ll learn not just what happens in the body, but how and why it happens—knowledge that is essential for diagnosing, treating, and understanding disease.
From electrical signaling in the heart to the fine-tuned hormonal regulation of metabolism, this course emphasizes the integration of body systems and the physiological mechanisms that maintain balance (homeostasis). Each topic is presented in a clinically relevant context to help bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Whether you’re preparing for medical, nursing, or allied health exams, this course will solidify your understanding and help you apply physiological principles to real-world situations.
Course Contents
1. General Principles of Physiology
- Homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
- Body fluid compartments and osmosis
- Membrane potentials and ion channels
- Cell signaling and second messengers
2. Nervous System Physiology
- Neuron structure and function
- Action potentials and synaptic transmission
- Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic vs parasympathetic)
- Reflex arcs and sensory processing
3. Muscle Physiology
- Skeletal muscle structure and contraction
- Neuromuscular junction and excitation-contraction coupling
- Smooth muscle and cardiac muscle physiology
- Muscle fatigue and energetics
4. Cardiovascular System
- Cardiac cycle and heart sounds
- Electrical conduction of the heart (ECG basics)
- Hemodynamics and blood pressure regulation
- Microcirculation, capillary exchange, and Starling forces
- Autoregulation and cardiac output
5. Respiratory System
- Mechanics of breathing and lung volumes
- Gas exchange and transport (O₂ & CO₂)
- Ventilation-perfusion matching
- Respiratory regulation and control centers
- Acid-base physiology and compensation
6. Renal Physiology
- Nephron structure and function
- Filtration, reabsorption, secretion
- Regulation of fluid, electrolytes, and acid-base balance
- RAAS, ADH, and aldosterone mechanisms
- Clearance and GFR measurement
7. Gastrointestinal Physiology
- GI motility: swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation
- Secretion of digestive enzymes and hormones
- Digestion and absorption of macronutrients
- Liver and pancreatic functions
- Gut-brain axis and enteric nervous system
8. Endocrine Physiology
- Hormone classification and mechanisms of action
- Hypothalamic-pituitary axis
- Thyroid, adrenal, pancreatic, and reproductive hormones
- Feedback loops and endocrine rhythms
- Clinical relevance: diabetes, thyroid disease, Cushing’s/Addison’s
9. Reproductive Physiology
- Male and female reproductive hormones
- Menstrual cycle and ovulation
- Fertilization, pregnancy, and lactation
- Puberty and menopause
10. Integumentary and Thermoregulation
- Skin physiology and barrier function
- Temperature regulation and heat exchange
- Sweating, shivering, and hypothalamic control