Synopsis
Review(s)
about a previous edition:
'This is a well written, compact physiology text on the functions of the kidney ... The author has carefully selected the relevant topics and and provided the student with an up-to-date and well-balanced analysis of basic functions of the nephron, as well as a concise survey of the major regulatory mechanisms of salt and water homeostasis ... The book is lucidly written and well-illustrated and should serve as a valuable introductory text for physiology students.'
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology
'The students of physiology at the University of Birmingham Medical School ... are very lucky if their class teaching is as good as this paperback.'
British Book News
'Presents clearly and concisely the principles of renal physiology at a level eminently suitable to the needs of the preclinical medical student ... confidently recommended.'
B. Peter Sawaya
This book is based on the author's lecture course in renal physiology. It is a simplified and easy-to-read review of the subject. This is the fourth edition, and the third was published in 1994. The purpose is to set out the principles of renal physiology for preclinical medical students. The main focus is to review normal renal function. A second objective is to discuss renal adaptation to many disease states. In this newer edition the author provides further integration of renal anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology to renal physiology. The author successfully achieves his goal. This book is written primarily for undergraduate medical and medical science students. It is obvious that the author is very experienced in the subject and has an excellent, easy-to-read style. He does make complex concepts easy to understand. The author follows a traditional sequence of topics in renal physiology. First, he provides a comprehensive review of body fluids composition, followed by the normal function of each segment of the nephron. Subsequently he discusses the role of the kidney in fluids, electrolytes, and acid-base regulation. This book contains a few unique and very desirable features. The figures are very clear and generous in size, which makes fine details easy to depict. The frequent use of ""shaded titles"" and legends to figures and tables is very pleasing to the eyes. The author provides a few ""problems"" to solve at the end of some chapters to further highlight important topics. This book is excellent as a primer in renal physiology. All the major topics are covered in an easy-to-read style. The author clearly has the experience to transform a complex concept intosomething that is easy to understand. This is particularly important to students who are just beginning to learn these materials. This book can be useful to interns and residents who may be struggling in some aspects of renal physiology. In addition, I find it quite suitable as a framework for instructors of renal physiology.