Integrated Physiology and Pathophysiology

Blood and hemostasis

Introduction Blood is a specialized type of connective tissue that performs several key functions required for the viability of all other organs: Major transportation route via the circulatory system. Brings oxygen and nutrients (i.e., glucose), as well as endocrine hormones.…

Musculoskeletal physiology

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Smooth muscle

Introduction Like skeletal muscle (see Ch. 5 ), the primary function of smooth muscle is contraction. However, although skeletal muscles often attach to bones and cross joints so that contraction produces limb movement, smooth muscle typically forms tissues within organ…

The neuromuscular junction and skeletal muscle

Introduction Muscle comes in three varieties: 1. Cardiac 2. Skeletal 3. Smooth These three types are differentiated based on: 1. Distinct control systems (neuronal, neurohormonal) 2. Anatomic locations 3. Specialized cellular structure, function, and biochemistry. The major function of skeletal…

Peripheral nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Introduction The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the direct extension of the central nervous system (CNS), and it is capable of consciously monitoring and reacting to primarily external stimuli. Dysfunction of this system can lead to an inability of patients…

Central nervous system

Introduction Because of the development of new research techniques, knowledge of the brain acquired in the past 2 decades has exceeded the amount learned in all previous centuries. Numerous questions remain unanswered: “What is consciousness?” “What defines our personality?” “How…

Introduction to diagnosis

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General principles of physiology

Foundations of homeostasis Life functions (e.g., growth and development, reproduction, breathing, cognition, movement, self-defense, and responses to environmental stress) require either the input of energy into the body or the transformation of energy from one form to a more useful…