Textbook of Veterinary Physiology, 4e

Book Preface

Physiology is the study of the normal fonctions of the body­the study of the body’s molecules, ceUs, and organ systems and the interrelationships among them. Because the study of medicine is the study of the abnormal functions of the body, it is essential to understand normal physiology if one is to understand the mcchanisms of disease. For th-is reason, physiology and other important sciences basic to medicine are introduced first in the veterinary curriculum.

Physiology is a vast subject, and veterinary students are too busy to learn aU that is known about it. We have, therefore, made an effort to lirnit the concepts presented in this book to those germane to the practice of veterinary medicine. Because the scope of physiology encompasses many scientific disciplines and levels of analysis, the authors represent the fields of physiology, neuroscience, cell biology, and molecular biology. Sorne of the authors are also veterinarians, but ail have consulted with veterinary clinicians regarding content. We hope that the new section on the immune system and the new chapter on cancer underscore the intimate relationship between the understanding of cell and molecular biology, physiological fonction, and veterinary medicine.

This book is designed for first-year veterinary students. The goal is to introduce the student to the principles and concepts of physiology that are pertinent to the practicc of veterinary medicine. Other goals are to introduce the reader to physiopathology and clinical problem-solving techniques and to help the rea,der undcrstand the relationship between physiology and the practice of veterinary medicine.

This book is desi.gned to be as student friendly as possible. New concepts in the text are introduced by a declarative statement designed to summarize the essential point. This format also helps the reader survey the chapter or review for an examination. These declarative statements are also listed at the beginning of the chapter as an outline of Key Points.

Chapters indu.ide one or more Clü1ical Correlations at the end. Thcse are designed to show the reader how knowledge of physiology is applied to the diagnosis and treatment of veterinary patients. They also provide the student with an additional way to think through the principles and concepts presented, and they can serve as a basis for classroom case discussions.

Several Practice Questions are included in each chapter as another method for students to review the book’s content. The brief Bibliography for cach chapter is designed to lead the reader to more advanced textbooks, as veterinary students are often too busy to read original literature. However, for those who may find the time, some original literature references are also included in several chapters. We welcome suggestions of ways to improvc this text in subsequent editions.

We particularly want to tbank the book’s medical illustrator, Mr. Donald O’Connor, who drew the new Unstrations for thîs edition. We also wa11t to thank Dr. Sharon Wîtonsky for developîng the new Clinical Correlations in many of the chapters. We also thank the folks at Elsevier who were involved in helpîng us produce the fourth edition, among them Teri Merchant, Penny Rudolph, Stacy Beane, Tara Knittel, Sarah Wunderly, and particularly Jolynn Gower. She provided a guiding hand through virtually all aspects of this project and it was a pleasure to work with her. And last, we want to thank the many veterinary students whose constructive suggestions for improvements have led to the current edition of the book.

Jim Cunningham Brad Klein