Pathophysiology & Pharmacology Study
Guide
2nd Year Bachelor of Medicine
PART I: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Core Concepts & Approach
1. Cellular Pathophysiology
Cell injury mechanisms: Hypoxia, chemical toxins, physical agents, infectious agents,
immunologic reactions, genetic defects, nutritional imbalances
Cellular adaptations: Atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia
Cell death: Necrosis vs. apoptosis - mechanisms and morphological features
Cellular accumulations: Lipids, proteins, glycogen, pigments
2. Inflammation & Repair
Acute inflammation: Vascular changes, cellular events, chemical mediators
Chronic inflammation: Causes, morphologic features, cells involved
Wound healing: Primary vs. secondary intention, factors affecting healing
Fever pathophysiology: Pyrogens, hypothalamic response, benefits vs. risks
3. Hemodynamic Disorders
Edema: Mechanisms (increased hydrostatic pressure, decreased oncotic pressure,
lymphatic obstruction, increased vascular permeability)
Hyperemia vs. congestion: Active vs. passive processes
Hemorrhage: Classification, consequences
Thrombosis: Virchow's triad, types, outcomes
Embolism: Types, pulmonary embolism pathophysiology
Infarction: Red vs. white infarcts, factors determining outcome
System-Specific Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular System
Heart failure: Systolic vs. diastolic dysfunction, compensatory mechanisms, clinical
manifestations
Myocardial infarction: Pathogenesis, zones of injury, complications
, Hypertension: Primary vs. secondary, vascular changes, target organ damage
Atherosclerosis: Risk factors, pathogenesis, complications
Arrhythmias: Basic electrophysiology, common mechanisms
Respiratory System
Asthma: Pathophysiology, triggers, airway remodeling
COPD: Emphysema vs. chronic bronchitis, pathogenetic mechanisms
Pneumonia: Host defenses, pathogen-host interactions
Pulmonary edema: Cardiogenic vs. non-cardiogenic causes
Respiratory failure: Type I vs. Type II, mechanisms
Renal System
Acute kidney injury: Pre-renal, intrinsic, post-renal causes
Chronic kidney disease: Progression, complications, mineral bone disease
Glomerular diseases: Basic pathophysiology, proteinuria mechanisms
Acid-base disorders: Metabolic vs. respiratory, compensation mechanisms
Fluid and electrolyte imbalances: Sodium, potassium, calcium disorders
Gastrointestinal System
Peptic ulcer disease: H. pylori, NSAIDs, stress ulcers
Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's vs. ulcerative colitis
Liver pathophysiology: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension
Malabsorption syndromes: Mechanisms, consequences
Diarrhea: Secretory, osmotic, inflammatory, motility disorders
Endocrine System
Diabetes mellitus: Type 1 vs. Type 2 pathophysiology, complications
Thyroid disorders: Hyperthyroidism vs. hypothyroidism mechanisms
Adrenal disorders: Addison's disease, Cushing's syndrome
Calcium homeostasis: PTH, vitamin D, calcitonin interactions
Nervous System
Stroke: Ischemic vs. hemorrhagic, penumbra concept
Seizures: Basic mechanisms, classification
Increased intracranial pressure: Causes, consequences, herniation syndromes
Neurotransmitter disorders: Basic concepts for major systems
Guide
2nd Year Bachelor of Medicine
PART I: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Core Concepts & Approach
1. Cellular Pathophysiology
Cell injury mechanisms: Hypoxia, chemical toxins, physical agents, infectious agents,
immunologic reactions, genetic defects, nutritional imbalances
Cellular adaptations: Atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia
Cell death: Necrosis vs. apoptosis - mechanisms and morphological features
Cellular accumulations: Lipids, proteins, glycogen, pigments
2. Inflammation & Repair
Acute inflammation: Vascular changes, cellular events, chemical mediators
Chronic inflammation: Causes, morphologic features, cells involved
Wound healing: Primary vs. secondary intention, factors affecting healing
Fever pathophysiology: Pyrogens, hypothalamic response, benefits vs. risks
3. Hemodynamic Disorders
Edema: Mechanisms (increased hydrostatic pressure, decreased oncotic pressure,
lymphatic obstruction, increased vascular permeability)
Hyperemia vs. congestion: Active vs. passive processes
Hemorrhage: Classification, consequences
Thrombosis: Virchow's triad, types, outcomes
Embolism: Types, pulmonary embolism pathophysiology
Infarction: Red vs. white infarcts, factors determining outcome
System-Specific Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular System
Heart failure: Systolic vs. diastolic dysfunction, compensatory mechanisms, clinical
manifestations
Myocardial infarction: Pathogenesis, zones of injury, complications
, Hypertension: Primary vs. secondary, vascular changes, target organ damage
Atherosclerosis: Risk factors, pathogenesis, complications
Arrhythmias: Basic electrophysiology, common mechanisms
Respiratory System
Asthma: Pathophysiology, triggers, airway remodeling
COPD: Emphysema vs. chronic bronchitis, pathogenetic mechanisms
Pneumonia: Host defenses, pathogen-host interactions
Pulmonary edema: Cardiogenic vs. non-cardiogenic causes
Respiratory failure: Type I vs. Type II, mechanisms
Renal System
Acute kidney injury: Pre-renal, intrinsic, post-renal causes
Chronic kidney disease: Progression, complications, mineral bone disease
Glomerular diseases: Basic pathophysiology, proteinuria mechanisms
Acid-base disorders: Metabolic vs. respiratory, compensation mechanisms
Fluid and electrolyte imbalances: Sodium, potassium, calcium disorders
Gastrointestinal System
Peptic ulcer disease: H. pylori, NSAIDs, stress ulcers
Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's vs. ulcerative colitis
Liver pathophysiology: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension
Malabsorption syndromes: Mechanisms, consequences
Diarrhea: Secretory, osmotic, inflammatory, motility disorders
Endocrine System
Diabetes mellitus: Type 1 vs. Type 2 pathophysiology, complications
Thyroid disorders: Hyperthyroidism vs. hypothyroidism mechanisms
Adrenal disorders: Addison's disease, Cushing's syndrome
Calcium homeostasis: PTH, vitamin D, calcitonin interactions
Nervous System
Stroke: Ischemic vs. hemorrhagic, penumbra concept
Seizures: Basic mechanisms, classification
Increased intracranial pressure: Causes, consequences, herniation syndromes
Neurotransmitter disorders: Basic concepts for major systems
