Physiology at a Glance

Preface

Abbreviations

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1 Homeostasis and the physiology of proteins

2 Body water compartments and physiological fluids

3 Cells, membranes and organelles

4 Membrane transport and ion channels

5 Biological electricity

6 Conduction of action potentials

7 Cell signalling

8 The autonomic nervous system

9 Blood

10 Platelets and haemostasis

11 Defence: Inflammation and immunity

12 Principles of diffusion and flow

13 Thermoregulation

14 Altitude & Aerospace Physiology

15 Skeletal muscle and its contraction

16 Neuromuscular junction and whole muscle contraction

17 Motor units, recruitment and summation

18 Cardiac and smooth muscle

19 Introduction to the cardiovascular system

20 The heart

21 The cardiac cycle

22 Initiation of the heart beat and excitation contraction coupling

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

24 Blood vessels

25 Control of blood pressure and blood volume

26 The microcirculation, filtration and lymphatics

27 Local control of blood flow and specific circulations

28 Introduction to the respiratory system

29 Lung mechanics

30 Transport of gases and the gas laws

31 Carriage of oxygen and carbon dioxide by the blood

32 Control of breathing

33 Ventilation perfusion matching and right to left shunts

34 Introduction to the renal system

35 Renal filtration

36 Reabsorption, secretion and the proximal tubule

37 The loop of Henle and distal nephron

38 Regulation of plasma osmolality and fluid volume

39 Control of acid base status

40 Gastrointestinal tract: overview and the mouth

41 Oesophagus and stomach

42 Small intestine

43 The exocrine pancreas, liver and gallbladder

44 Large intestine

45 Endocrine control

46 Control of metabolic fuels

47 The hypothalamus and pituitary gland

48 Thyroid hormones and metabolic rate

49 Growth factors

50 Somatic and skeletal growth

51 Control of plasma calcium

52 The adrenal glands and stress

53 Endocrine control of reproduction

54 Sexual differentiation and function

55 Fertilization, pregnancy and parturition

56 Lactation

57 Introduction to sensory systems

58 Sensory receptors

59 Special senses: Taste and smell

60 Special senses: Vision

61 Special senses: Hearing and balance

62 Motor control and the cerebellum

63 Proprioception and reflexes

Glossary

Self–assessment MCQs

Answers to self–assessment MCQs

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

Appendix II Normal physiological values

Index

Jeremy P.T. Ward PhD is Professor of Respiratory Cell Physiology (Previously Head of Department of Physiology) at the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King′s College London, London, UK.

Roger W.A. Linden BDS PhD MFDS RCS is Emeritus Professor of Craniofacial Biology at the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King′s College London, London, UK.