Physiology
Physiology
Core physiology selected for surgical decision-making: body water, renal control, gas exchange, oxygen delivery, acid–base balance and haemostasis.
Recommended start Oxygen Content, Delivery & the Oxyhaemoglobin Curve
Featured lessons
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Guide-selected lessons that establish the most useful foundations for this subject.
Oxygen Content, Delivery & the Oxyhaemoglobin Curve
Connect haemoglobin, saturation, cardiac output and the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve to surgical shock and respiratory disease.
Read lessonAcid–Base Physiology
Learn the physiology behind pH regulation before applying it to blood-gas interpretation and surgical critical care.
Read lessonRenal Sodium & Water Handling
A surgical-physiology guide to how the nephron handles sodium and water and how volume and osmolality signals control the final urine.
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Fluids, kidneys & acid–base
Understand distribution first, then renal control and finally the acid–base consequences of illness and therapy.
- Read lesson
Body Fluid Compartments & Osmolality
Understand total body water, intracellular and extracellular compartments, osmolality, tonicity and the distribution of common fluids.
9 min readActive recall - Read lesson
Renal Sodium & Water Handling
A surgical-physiology guide to how the nephron handles sodium and water and how volume and osmolality signals control the final urine.
11 min readActive recall - Read lesson
Acid–Base Physiology
Learn the physiology behind pH regulation before applying it to blood-gas interpretation and surgical critical care.
10 min readActive recall
Respiration & oxygen delivery
Connect ventilation and V/Q matching to arterial oxygen content, cardiac output and tissue delivery.
- Read lesson
Respiratory Physiology for Surgical Care
A practical physiology bridge from alveolar ventilation and V/Q relationships to postoperative hypoxaemia and respiratory failure.
11 min readActive recall - Read lesson
Oxygen Content, Delivery & the Oxyhaemoglobin Curve
Connect haemoglobin, saturation, cardiac output and the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve to surgical shock and respiratory disease.
9 min readActive recall
Haemostasis
The physiological foundation for surgical bleeding, thrombosis and transfusion reasoning.
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