Pathophysiology

No doubt, there are many ways to practice "good" medicine, whatever this may be. Forty years ago the history, observation, and clinical examina­ tion of a patient led to diagnosis and therapy. Since then, we have learned a great deal about the biochemical and physiologic processes in the human body and about the pathogenetic mechanisms by which they are disturbed and lead to disease. Today, the basis of clinical judgment and patient management is the understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms of disease. This concise and basic text of pathophysiology introduces the medical student to the basic pathophysiologic mechanisms. Each chapter begins with a short outline of the general physiologic and biochemical principles of an organ, a system, or a metabolic process; their possible derangements are described, with empha­ sis on the more important and more frequently occurring diseases. Although the primary purpose is to convey a basic understanding of clinical medicine to first-year medical students, many students have used this book as a convenient reference up to and after graduation. 1 The Lungs and Respiration.- Physiology.- Regulation of Breathing.- Pulmonary Volumes and Distensibility of Lungs and Thorax.- Resistance to Flow; Ventilatory Reserves.- Ventilation and Circulation.- Gas Exchange.- Alveolar Ventilation; Dead-Space Ventilation.- Alveolar Ventilation and Pulmonary Perfusion.- Pulmonary Gas Diffusion.- Gas Transport in Blood.- Pathophysiology.- Abnormal Atmospheric Conditions.- Hypoxia.- Hyperoxia.- Hyperbaric Conditions.- CO2 Enrichment of Inspiratory Air.- Acceleration.- Pathophysiologic Syndromes.- Periodic Breathing.- Restriction and Obstruction.- Hyperventi Front Matter....Pages i-xii The Lungs and Respiration....Pages 1-31 The Heart and Circulation....Pages 33-80 Temperature Regulation and Heat Balance....Pages 81-85 Blood....Pages 87-128 The Kidney....Pages 129-153 Water and Electrolyte Balance....Pages 155-168 Acid—Base Balance....Pages 169-174 Bone, Calcium, and Phosphate Metabolism....Pages 175-180 Endocrinology....Pages 181-221 Metabolism....Pages 223-260 Digestive Organs....Pages 261-315 The Nervous System....Pages 317-386 Back Matter....Pages 387-403