Syllabus for Homeostasis,
Semester 3, Medical Programme, Lund University
Ladok code: LÄK 537
Name of Course
Homeostasis
Credits and In-Depth Level
The course comprises 19 credits at in-depth level A.
Organization
The course takes up most of the 3rd semester of the medical programme and is 19 weeks long.
Date of Adoption
This syllabus was adopted by the Committee for Medical Education on 27 May, 2003, and revised by
the Committee for Biomedical, Medical and Public Health Education on 17 May, 2006.
Aims and Learning Outcomes of the Course
The syllabus is a semester-specific complement to the curriculum of the medical programme at Lund
University and the two documents should be read together.
(http://www.med.lu.se/lakarutbildning/om_laekarutbildningen/utbildningsplan).
The learning outcomes follow a template for cumulative, semester-based learning outcomes which
was adopted by the Committee for Medical Education on 15 December, 2004. The template is
available from the home page of the Faculty:
(http://www.med.lu.se/utbildning/grundutbildning/laekare/core_curriculum_arbetet).
By the end of the course, the student is expected to have acquired knowledge of how the organ
systems of the body function and how they can maintain functions like breathing, circulation,
uptake of nutrients, metabolism, reproduction, and growth. Such knowledge is necessary if in the
later, clinical semesters the student is to understand the diseases and disorders which may arise in
these organ systems. Many patients who seek medical care suffer from diseases and disorders
related to the organ systems studied in this course.
On completion of the course, the students are expected to be able to:
• find, orally present and summarize scientific or popular science articles related to the
various weekly topics in a concise and to fellow students clear manner, and give and take
constructive feedback concerning the contents, structure and delivery of the oral
presentations
• describe the positions of the organs of the chest and abdomen in relation to each other and
to the chest wall/diaphragm and peritoneum, respectively
• account for the arterial and venous vascular supply of the organs of the chest and
abdomen
• describe the main anatomical features of lymphatic drainage of the organs
• describe the innervation of the organs, particularly with respect to the structure of the
nervous system
• account for different kinds of receptors and how drugs may influence receptor signalling
• define important concepts in receptor pharmacology, e g affinity, efficacy and
agonist/antagonist
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explain the electrical activity of the heart muscle cells and how it causes mechanical
function in the heart
explain the electro-physiological features behind a normal ECG
describe the signalling and functional characteristics of endothelial cells and vascular
muscle cells and their adaptation to different pressure conditions and mechanical
intervention
account for the different factors which determine blood pressure and for how blood
pressure varies between different parts of the vascular tree
suggest possible explanations for deviations from normal blood pressure from the point of
view of normal physiology
explain the significance of lymphatic vessels and in that context explain why oedemas
arise
account for the functions of arteries, capillaries and veins
describe how blood flow to an organ varies and the possible mechanisms which explain
blood flow regulation
describe the different types of blood cells, their formation and function
explain how red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide and how this transport is
influenced by endogenous substances and external factors such as smoking
describe the composition of blood plasma and be acquainted with the different groups of
proteins contained therein
describe the composition of the lymphoid organs and their function in the immune
defense
describe the composition and function of the kidney and the urinary tract
describe how urine is formed and how its composition varies
account for how the kidney regulates the salt balance, blood pressure and acid-base
balance
describe the action mechanisms for diuretics, antidiuretics and ACE inhibitors
describe the different parts of the air conduction tract from microscopic and macroscopic
points of view
describe how inhalation and exhalation are brought about
explain how gas exchange takes place between blood and air in the lung and between
blood and surrounding cells in the capillaries of the tissue
account for the relationship between structure and function in the gastrointestinal tract
describe the structure of the liver (including the gall bladder), the pancreas and the
salivary glands and explain their functions in digestion and absorption
explain how food is digested and how nutrients are absorbed from the intestinal lumen
into the bloodstream
give dietary advice to healthy adults
describe how the gastrointestinal tract may be influenced pharmacologically
account for how carbohydrates, lipids and proteins are used for the energy production of
the body
explain how hormones influence metabolism and what their action mechanisms are
account for the general composition of lipoproteins, specify where they are synthesized
and describe the flow of lipoproteins and fatty acids in different nutritive conditions
account for the basic principles of the regulation of appetite
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explain the significance of different nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and trace
elements
account for the structure and function of the hypophysis and the thyroid, parathyroid and
adrenal glands
explain how the central endocrine organs, the hypothalamus and hypophysis, regulate the
activity of the peripheral endocrine organs, the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands
describe the principles of hormone synthesis, storage, secretion and transport and how
hormones transmit signals to their target cells
describe in general terms the symptoms arising from hormonal imbalance in the organs
mentioned above, and how they may be corrected pharmacologically
describe the structure and function of the reproductive organs (male and female)
account for how hormones control spermatogenesis and follicle development
explain the structural and hormonal changes which take place during the menstrual cycle
account for how pregnancy may be prevented with hormone treatment
account for the fertilization of the ovum, the development of the foetus and the function
of the placenta
account for hormonal changes during pregnancy and delivery and explain the onset of
labour
describe the development of the mammary glands and explain how lactation is initiated
The learning outcomes listed above are part of a basic scientific competence for the
following clinical situations:
• breathing difficulties
• chest pain
• shock
• consciousness disturbance
• abdominal pain
• blood vomiting
• heart palpitation/irregular heart rate
• fainting
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• poisoning
• urination disorders
• pregnancy
• normal delivery and breast-feeding
• blood in faeces/discoloured faeces
• cough
• blood in urine/proteinuria
• menstrual problems
• swollen limbs
• addiction and abuse
• thirst/dehydration
• fluid and electrolyte imbalance
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heartburn/reflux
loss of appetite
loss of weight
contraceptives
changes in blood pressure
swallowing difficulties
overweight/obesity
loss of libido/sexual dysfunction
cardiac arrest
Laboratory Situations
• abnormal blood glucose/glucose in urine
• abnormal haematological laboratory data
• subnormal test values for liver function
Basic Practical Skills
The letters after each skill denotes the examination type for that skill. P stands for “portfolio”, i.e.
the student is responsible for the documentation.
On completion of the 3rd semester, the student is expected to be able to:
• record and interpret a standard 12-lead ECG (electrocardiogram) P
• measure blood pressure P
• use a light microscope and by that means identify and describe the cells, tissues and
organs studied during the course (to be examined in a morphology test, cf below).
Chief Contents of the Course
The structure and function of the different organ systems are studied in an integrated fashion
along with relevant aspects of pharmacology. Weekly themes are introduced in PBL cases which
are studied for one week. This work is complemented with lectures, laboratory work
(compulsory), microscopy exercises, and model demonstrations relevant to the themes.
Scope and Methods of Examination
Written test based on the learning outcomes specified for the course (10 credits)
Morphology test (4 credits)
Course portfolio consisting of (5 credits):
• Satisfactory PBL work x 2, including article report (to be certified by tutor)
• Written reflexion on PBL work (to be signed by tutor x 2)
• Proof of participation in laboratory work
A student who fails a test is entitled to a maximum of four retests. Additional retests may be granted after
special consideration.
Grading
Results are graded as Pass or Fail.
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Entrance Qualifications
All semester 1 tests passed; all course work/portfolio through semester 2 passed
Course Literature and Other Aids
Basic textbook: "Human Anatomy and Physiology", Marieb
Biochemistry and physiological chemistry: "Biochemistry", Stryer, alt "Principles of
Biochemistry" Lehninger et al, alt "Textbook of biochemistry with clinical correlations", Devlin
Cell biology: "Molecular biology of the cell", Alberts et al. alt "Molecular Cell Biology", Lodish
et al
Anatomy: "Atlas of human anatomy", Sobotta alt "Atlas of anatomy", Grant, alt "Anatomisk
bildordbok", Feneis alt "Clinically Oriented Anatomy", Moore & Dalley
Histology: "diFiore´s atlas of histology", Eroschenko, alt "Colour atlas of histology", Gartner and
Hiatt, alt "Atlas of functional histology", Kerr, alt "Histology: a text and atlas"; Ross, Kaye and
Pawlina, alt "Human histology", Stevens & Lowe
Physiology: "Physiology", Berne and Levy, alt "Medical physiology", Boron and Boulpaep
Pharmacology: "Pharmacology", Rang et al
Clinical physiology: "Klinisk fysiologi med nuklearmedicin och klinisk neurofysiologi", Björn
Jonson m fl
Clinical chemistry: "Laurells klinisk kemi i praktisk medicin", Ganrot P-O
Nutrition:
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Handout with basic facts. There are also several nutrition chapters in Devlin "Textbook of
biochemistry with clinical correlations".
Nutrition file for the Region of Skåne, 2004. pdf-file.
http://www.skane.se/templates/Page.aspx?id=81445
Nordiska näringsrekommendationer (NNR) and Svenska Näringsrekommendationer
(SNR).
Nordin Nutrition Recommendations, 2004, 4th ed. NORD 2004:13, Copenhagen.
Selections appear on http://www.slv.se/templates/SLV_Page.aspx?id=2866 and other
pages.
Find information on the nutritional content of foodstuffs in the database of the National
Food Administration http://www.slv.se/templates/LDB_Search.aspx?id=6242
Anatomilista : A list of anatomical structures you must learn to identify is distributed at the start
of the course.
Professional Development 3
Ladok Code: LÄK538
Syllabus Adopted by the Committee for Medical Education on 10 December, 2003
The syllabus applies as from the spring semester, 2004
Course Period: See home page: http://www.med.lu.se/lakarutbildning
Credits: 1 credit
Aims and Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, the students are expected to be able to:
• account for basic psychological mechanisms influencing the patient-doctor relationship
• establish contact with the patient and perform the initial part of the consultation in a
professional manner
• perform a physical examination with regard to circulation and respiration; lungs, heart,
peripheral pulses and blood pressure
• reflect on the theory and practice of the patient-doctor relationship
Contents and Organization of the Course
Study and Work Formats
The course is composed of the following parts:
• lectures on medical psychology
• group work on doctor-patient communication
• group work on clinical examination methods
• group work at a primary health care centre
• literature studies
• written reflexion
Documentation of
Satisfactory Completion
of the Course
Type of Assessment
Course portfolio containing:
• Proof of participation in the
following activities: (1) doctorpatient communication (two
occasions), (2) clinical examination
methods, (3) group work at primary
health care centre
• Satisfactory written reflexion
Chief Use of
Information
Pass – Fail
Pass - Fail
A student who fails a test is entitled to a maximum of four retests. Additional retests may be
granted after special consideration.
Course literature is listed separately at
http://www.med.lu.se/lakarutbildning/termin_3