Pulmonary Physiology

Scott Marlow

This fifth edition uses graphics, tables, and examples to introduce to basic pulmonary physiology. The previous edition was published in 1995. This book is written as a refresher and introduction to basic pulmonary physiology. The goal is to provide a broad based knowledge of pulmonary physiology. These are worthy objectives which are well met by the author. The audience is first year medical students, respiratory care practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The author does a very good job of combining technical descriptions of respiratory physiology with graphic and practical descriptions. The author addresses the physical process of respiration from the interrelationship of basic lung mechanics to the microscopic changes at the alveolar level of gas exchange. The chapters on the mechanics of breathing and the controls of breathing are descriptive of how and why we breathe, while the chapters on alveolar ventilation, perfusion, and diffusion are illustrative of how gasses exchange. The physical properties of gas laws and diffusion principles can sometimes be challenging, but the author provides adequate tables and descriptions to aid the reader in relating the physical principles to the physiology. The chapter on "non-respiratory" functions of the lungs and the chapter on how the lungs respond to stress are especially noteworthy. The practical applications and descriptions to respiratory disease processes aid the reader in understanding how changes in physiology may lead to a commonly seen ailment. The text and examples provided create an easy to read and understand picture of the respiratory processes. This book compares very favorably to other texts usedas an introduction to respiratory physiology and is a good review for medical students, respiratory care practitioners, or nurses.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Scott Marlow, RT (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
Description: This fifth edition uses graphics, tables, and examples to introduce to basic pulmonary physiology. The previous edition was published in 1995.
Purpose: This book is written as a refresher and introduction to basic pulmonary physiology. The goal is to provide a broad based knowledge of pulmonary physiology. These are worthy objectives which are well met by the author.
Audience: The audience is first year medical students, respiratory care practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Features: The author does a very good job of combining technical descriptions of respiratory physiology with graphic and practical descriptions. The author addresses the physical process of respiration from the interrelationship of basic lung mechanics to the microscopic changes at the alveolar level of gas exchange. The chapters on the mechanics of breathing and the controls of breathing are descriptive of how and why we breathe, while the chapters on alveolar ventilation, perfusion, and diffusion are illustrative of how gasses exchange. The physical properties of gas laws and diffusion principles can sometimes be challenging, but the author provides adequate tables and descriptions to aid the reader in relating the physical principles to the physiology. The chapter on "non-respiratory" functions of the lungs and the chapter on how the lungs respond to stress are especially noteworthy. The practical applications and descriptions to respiratory disease processes aid the reader in understanding how changes in physiology may lead to a commonly seenailment.
Assessment: The text and examples provided create an easy to read and understand picture of the respiratory processes. This book compares very favorably to other texts used as an introduction to respiratory physiology and is a good review for medical students, respiratory care practitioners, or nurses.

Booknews

A review correlating basic science principles with their role in the clinical representation of respiratory disease, for both first-year medical students and clinicians, emphasizing major concepts rather than the memorization of facts. Chapters on alveolar ventilation; ventilation-perfusion relationships; the regulation of acid-base status; and the respiratory system under stress feature learning objectives, case studies, and study questions, with reference appendices. This fourth edition contains two-color illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

3 Stars from Doody