Essential Medical Physiology

Essential Medical Physiologyby Leonard R. Johnson is a new text in human physiology and is designed primarily for medical students. As the editor indicates in his preface, the text contains only material essential to medical physiology courses as taught in most of the US and Canadian medical schools. Nine experienced physiology teachers have contributed to the text. Although there are not many clinical-correlation examples, it might prepare medical students very well for the practice of medicine, and it provides the necessary background to better understand pathophysiology and clinical medicine. Central nervous system physiology, customarily taught in a separate neurosciences course, is not covered. The first of six parts is "General Physiology," followed by "Cardiovascular Physiology," "Respiratory Physiology," "Renal Physiology," "Gastrointestinal Physiology," and "Endocrine Physiology." There are a total of 51 chapters. After a short introduction, each is subdivided according to specific topics and ends with a relevant bibliography. At