Linda S. Costanzo PhD - Physiology: with STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 5e

Physiology is the foundation of medical practice. A firm grasp of its principles is essential for the medical student and the practicing physician. This book is intended for students of medicine and related disciplines who are engaged in the study of physiology. It can be used either as a companion to lectures and syllabi in discipline-based curricula or as a primary source in integrated or problem-based curricula. For advanced students, the book can serve as a reference in pathophysiology courses and in clinical clerkships.

In the fifth edition of this book, as in the previous editions, the important concepts in physiology are covered at the organ system and cellular levels. present the major organ systems: neurophysiology and cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, acid-base, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive physiology. The relationships between organ systems are emphasized to underscore the integrative mechanisms for homeostasis.

This edition includes the following features designed to facilitate the study of physiology:

Text that is easy to read and concise: Clear headings orient the student to the organization and hierarchy of the material. Complex physiologic information is presented systematically, logically, and step-wise. When a process occurs in a specific sequence, the steps are numbered in the text and often correlate with numbers shown in a figure. Bullets are used to separate and highlight the features of a process. Rhetorical questions are posed throughout the text to anticipate the questions that students may be asking; by first contemplating and then answering these questions, students learn to explain difficult concepts and rationalize unexpected or paradoxical findings. References at the end of each chapter direct the student to monographs, texts, review articles, and classic papers that offer further detail or historical perspective. Chapter summaries provide a brief overview.

Tables and illustrations that can be used in concert with the text or, because they are designed to stand alone, as a review: The tables summarize, organize, and make comparisons. Examples are (1) a table that compares the gastrointestinal hormones with respect to hormone family, site of and stimuli for secretion, and hormone actions; (2) a table that compares the pathophysiologic features of disorders of Ca2+ homeostasis; and (3) a table that compares the features of the action potential in different cardiac tissues. The illustrations are clearly labeled, often with main headings, and include simple diagrams, complex diagrams with numbered steps, and flow charts.

Equations and sample problems that are integrated into the text: All terms and units in equations are defined, and each equation is restated in words to place it in a physiologic context. Sample problems are followed by complete numerical solutions and explanations that guide the student through the proper steps in reasoning; by following the steps provided, students acquire the skills and confidence to solve similar or related problems.

Clinical physiology presented in boxes: Each box features a fictitious patient with a classic disorder. The clinical findings and proposed treatment are explained in terms of underlying physiologic principles. An integrative approach to the patient is used to emphasize the relationships between organ systems. For example, the case of type I diabetes mellitus involves a disorder not only of the endocrine system but also of the renal, acid-base, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

Practice questions