Physiology at a Glance

Extensively revised and updated, this fourth edition of Physiology at a Glance continues to provide a thorough introduction to human physiology, covering a wealth of topics in a comprehensive yet succinct manner.

This concise guide breaks this often complex subject down into its core components, dealing with structures of the body from the cellular level to composite systems. New to this edition are three chapters on cell signalling, thermoregulation, and altitude and aerospace physiology, as well as a glossary of terms to aid medical, dental, health science and biomedical students at all levels of their training.

Featuring clear, full-colour illustrations, memorable data tables, and easy-to-read text, Physiology at a Glance is ideal as both a revision guide and as a resource to assist basic understanding of key concepts.

Jeremy P. T. Ward
Roger W. A. Linden

Preface vii

Acknowledgements viii

Abbreviations ix

About the companion website xi

Part 1 Introduction 1

1 Homeostasis and the physiology of proteins 2

2 Body water compartments and physiological fluids 4

3 Cells, membranes and organelles 6

4 Membrane transport and ion channels 8

5 Biological electricity 10

6 Conduction of action potentials 12

7 Cell signalling 14

8 The autonomic nervous system 16

9 Blood 18

10 Platelets and haemostasis 20

11 Defence: inflammation and immunity 22

12 Principles of diffusion and flow 24

13 Thermoregulation 26

14 Altitude and aerospace physiology 28

Part 2 Muscles 31

15 Skeletal muscle and its contraction 32

16 Neuromuscular junction and whole muscle contraction 34

17 Motor units, recruitment and summation 36

18 Cardiac and smooth muscle 38

Part 3 The cardiovascular system 41

19 Introduction to the cardiovascular system 42

20 The heart 44

21 The cardiac cycle 46

22 Initiation of the heart beat and excitation–contraction coupling 48

23 Control of cardiac output and Starling’s law of the heart 50

24 Blood vessels 52

25 Control of blood pressure and blood volume 54

26 The microcirculation, filtration and lymphatics 56

27 Local control of blood flow and specific circulations 58

Part 4 The respiratory system 61

28 Introduction to the respiratory system 62

29 Lung mechanics 64

30 Transport of gases and the gas laws 66

31 Carriage of oxygen and carbon dioxide by the blood 68

32 Control of breathing 70

33 Ventilation–perfusion matching and right to left shunts 72

Part 5 The renal system 75

34 Introduction to the renal system 76

35 Renal filtration 78

36 Reabsorption, secretion and the proximal tubule 80

37 The loop of Henle and distal nephron 82

38 Regulation of plasma osmolality and fluid volume 84

39 Control of acid–base status 86

Part 6 The gut and metabolism 89

40 Gastrointestinal tract: overview and the mouth 90

41 Oesophagus and stomach 92

42 Small intestine 94

43 The exocrine pancreas, liver and gallbladder 96

44 Large intestine 98

Part 7 Endocrinology and reproduction 101

45 Endocrine control 102

46 Control of metabolic fuels 104

47 The hypothalamus and pituitary gland 106

48 Thyroid hormones and metabolic rate 108

49 Growth factors 110

50 Somatic and skeletal growth 112

51 Control of plasma calcium 114

52 The adrenal glands and stress 116

53 Endocrine control of reproduction 118

54 Sexual differentiation and function 120

55 Fertilization, pregnancy and parturition 122

56 Lactation 124

Part 8 The sensory and motor systems 127

57 Introduction to sensory systems 128

58 Sensory receptors 130

59 Special senses: taste and smell 132

60 Special senses: vision 134

61 Special senses: hearing and balance 136

62 Motor control and the cerebellum 138

63 Proprioception and reflexes 140

Glossary 142

Appendix I Comparison of the properties of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle 144

Appendix II Normal physiological values 145

Index 148

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