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

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.