ANATOMY: At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the anatomy of the nasal cavity including

the para-nasal air sinuses (Lecture, Practical
and PBL).
2. Describe the anatomy of the naso-
pharynx (Lecture, Practical).
3. Describe the anatomy of the larynx (Lecture,
Practical, and PBL).
4. Describe the anatomy of the trachea (Lecture,
Practical).
5. List the muscles of respiration in quiet and forced
breathing (Lecture, Practical).
6. Describe the anatomy of the thoracic wall and
cavity with special reference to muscles of
respiration (Lecture, Practical, and PBL).
7. Describe the anatomy of the left and right
lungs (Lecture, Practical, and PBL).
8. Describe the anatomy of the bronchial
tree (Lecture).
9. Discuss the anatomy of the pleurae and pleural
cavities (Lecture, Practical, and PBL).
10. Describe the nerve supply, arterial supply
and venous and lymphatic drainage of the lungs,
pleurae, and bronchial tree (Lecture, PBL).
11. Describe the histology of the respiratory
system, emphasising the changes in the walls and
epithelial linings of the respiratory
tract(Practical).
12. Identify the different structures of the
respiratory system on prosected anatomical
specimens and histological sections (Practical).
13. Describe the development of the respiratory
system (Lecture, PBL).
14. Discuss the important congenital
abnormalities in the respiratory system (Lecture).
15. Explain the changes in the respiratory
system occurring at birth (Lecture).

Course Objectives
BIOCHEMISTRY: (Objectives 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 to be covered in lectures)

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss and compare the principles of the allosteric

models (concerted and sequential) of
enzymes/proteins.
2. Discuss the role of allosteric effector molecules.
3. Discuss the importance of allosteric control in the
regulation of biological activity (e.g. regulation of
metabolism and oxygen delivery to tissue).
4. Compare the structure, function and oxygen
binding properties of haemoglobin and myoglobin.
5. Discuss the factors which influence oxygen binding
by haemoglobin. (e.g. the effect of H + and CO 2 ,
etc.).
6. Explain how the exchange of gases, i.e. CO 2 and
O 2 is regulated (Bohr-Haldane effects).
7. Explain how oxygen delivery to the foetus is
facilitated by:
o a. structural differences in haemoglobin and
o b. metabolic factors.
8. Describe the organisational structure of the
electron transport chain.
9. Discuss the relevance of oxidative phosphorylation
to the life of cells.
10. Discuss the significance of the disruption of
oxidative phosphorylation by:
o a. Inhibitors
o b. Uncouplers
o c. Physical methods (choking, drowning etc).
11. Discuss the basic concepts of the
chemiosmotic theory.
12. Explain the biochemistry of cigarette
smoking as it relates to the functioning of -1
antitrypsin.

Course Objectives
PHYSIOLOGY: At the end of the course, students will be able to:

OVERVIEW OF RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY

1. Describe the respiratory and metabolic functions

and defense mechanisms of the lung (Lecture).
2. Define the following: (Lecture)
o eupnoea
o tachypnoea
o hyperoxia
o apnoea
o hypoventilation
o oxygen debt
o dyspnoea
o hyperventilation
o hypocapnia
o hypopnoea
o hypoxia (and its types)
o hypercapnia
o hyperpnoea
o hypoxaemia (and its types)
o asphyxia
3. Explain the difference between, breathing,
ventilation and respiration (Lecture).

MECHANICS OF BREATHING

4. Explain, with diagrams, the pressure-volume

changes which occur during breathing (PBL and
Lecture).
5. Draw a spirogram indicating the lung volumes and
capacities and discuss the factors affecting them
(Lecture, PBL and Lab).
6. Describe the physiological significance of the
residual volume and RV/TLC ratio (PBL and
Lecture).
7. Explain flow-volume curves with special reference
to the effort-dependent and effort-independent
regions and their change with disease states (PBL,
Lecture and Practical).
8. Distinguish between obstructive and restrictive
lung diseases (PBL and Lecture).
9. Define airway resistance (RAW) and lung
compliance (CL) and discuss the components of
 each and factors affecting them (PBL and
Lecture).
10. Discuss the mechanics and measurement of
surface tension (Lecture).
11. Discuss the role of pulmonary surfactant in
the optimal functioning of the respiratory system
(Lecture).
12. Explain the concept of dynamic compression
of airways (Lecture and self-directed learning).
13. Explain the work of breathing and discuss
the effects of resistance, compliance and surface
tension on it (PBL and Lecture).

PULMONARY VENTILATION AND GAS EXCHANGE

14. Explain the relevance of the Gas Laws in

respiratory physiology (PBL and Lecture).
15. List the normal fractional concentrations and
partial pressures (at sea level) for the main
constituents of air (PBL and Lecture).
16. Calculate the partial pressures of gases in
atmospheric and alveolar air (PBL).
17. Define and quantitate alveolar ventilation
(VA), physiologic dead space and anatomic dead
space (VD) (PBL and Lecture).
18. Explain the concept of the
ventilation/perfusion ratio (Lecture).
19. Discuss the regional differences in normal
alveolar ventilation and pulmonary blood flow
(Lecture).
20. Describe the various laboratory methods
used to assess ventilatory function (PBL and
Lecture).
21. Explain the measurement and significance of
closing volume (Lecture).
22. Define diffusion capacity (transfer factor)
and discuss its measurement and factors affecting
it (PBL and Lecture).
23. Relate abnormal ventilation/perfusion ratios
to PaO2 and PaCO2 values (Lecture).
24. Discuss the various types of hypoxia (PBL
and Lecture).
25. Explain the significance of an elevated
alveolar to arterial PO2 difference (PBL
 and Lecture) .
26. Explain the physiological bases for
hypoxaemia (PBL and Lecture).

TRANSPORT OF BLOOD GASES

27. Describe the transport of oxygen and the

role played by haemoglobin (PBL and Lecture).
28. Describe the transport of carbon dioxide and
discuss the importance of the chloride shift (PBL
and Lecture).
29. Explain the oxyhaemoglobin and carbon
dioxide dissociation curves and discuss the factors
which affect them (PBL and Lecture).
30. Define respiratory acidosis and alkalosis and
describe the mechanism and function of
respiratory acid base compensations (Self-
directed learning).

CONTROL OF RESPIRATION

31. Explain, in outline, the chemical control of

breathing (including the role of the
chemoreceptors (PBL and Lecture).
32. Utilise appropriate diagrams to describe the
pathways of the various respiratory centres,
feedback loops and peripheral nerve inputs used in
the neural control of breathing (PBL and
Lecture).
33. Describe abnormal breathing patterns (e.g.
Cheyne-Stokes, Kussmauls, Biots, apneustic,
sleep apnoea) (PBL and self-directed learning).

SOME CLINICAL APPLICATIONS AND RELEVANCE OF

RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY

34. Discuss the factors involved in the control of

bronchomotor tone including the mechanisms for
clearance of vasoactive substances from the blood
(Lecture).
35. Discuss the effect of domestic allergens
(smoke, dust etc.) on the airways and the
mechanisms by which they are cleared (PBL).
36. Explain the physiological changes which
 occur during exercise and at high altitude (PBL
and self-directed learning).
37. Explain the physiological bases for coughing,
sneezing, sighing, yawning, wheezing, clubbing of
the fingers, cyanosis, decompression sickness and
shallow water blackout (Self-directed learning).

Course Objectives
PUBLIC HEALTH/ (All objectives are to be covered by self-directed
PRIMARY CARE: learning)

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Outline the health issues involved in asthma and

its prevention.
2. Discuss the effects of active and passive smoke,
and issues involved in smoking in the home and in
the work environment.
3. Discuss the disadvantages of a sedentary lifestyle
with specific reference to the respiratory system.
4. Describe the effects of work on health and health
on work.
5. Discuss the public health concerns with respect to
environmental pollutants.