| CODE | PHB2101 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Gastrointestinal and the Endocrine System | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Physiology and Biochemistry | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the physiology of the gastrointestinal and endocrine systems. Emphasis is placed on regulatory mechanisms, systemic integration, and clinical relevance. Students will build on foundational knowledge to explore digestion, absorption, hormonal control, and related disorders. Study-Unit Aims: - To provide a foundational understanding of the physiology of the gastrointestinal and endocrine systems; - To explore the integration between physiological processes and the manifestation of clinical disorders; - To develop interpretive and reasoning skills for analysing case-based scenarios in digestive and endocrine health. Gastrointestinal Physiology: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the autonomic and hormonal regulation of gastrointestinal secretions; - Identify and compare the composition and physiological roles of secretions from the salivary glands, stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines; - Explain the processes involved in the digestion and absorption of macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates); - Discuss the regulation of gastrointestinal motility, including swallowing, vomiting, gastric emptying, and their control mechanisms; - Explain gastro-oesophageal reflux prevention mechanisms; - Describe the functional roles of the liver including its storage, synthetic, metabolic, and excretory activities; - Illustrate bilirubin metabolism and excretion pathways; - Discuss hepatic blood flow, portal circulation, and their clinical significance. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Evaluate the physiological implications of clinical conditions such as prolonged vomiting, bowel obstruction, and malabsorption syndromes; - Interpret common clinical laboratory tests used in the assessment of liver function and hepatic failure. Endocrine Physiology: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the integrative role of the hypothalamus and its relationship to pituitary function; - Describe the control of secretion, synthesis, and functions of hormones produced by the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads; - Analyse the mechanisms by which hormones act on target tissues; - Discuss the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis including the roles of vitamin D, parathormone, and calcitonin. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Interpret the physiological basis of glucose homeostasis and its hormonal control. Recommended Textbooks: - Human Physiology by Stuart Ira Fox, WCB/McGraw-Hill. - Anatomy & Physiology by Kenneth S. Saladin, WCB/McGraw-Hill. - Textbook of Medical Physiology by Arthur G Guyton & John E. Hall, W.B. Saunders. - Review of Medical Physiology by William F. Ganong, McGraw-Hill/Appleton & Lange. Additional online learning materials and case discussions will be provided via the VLE. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Maria Grixti Cynthia Sammut Christian Scerri (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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