Pr reace students with any enthusiasm or lasting zeal for the subject. This is regrettable because a good knowledge of normal human physiology is critically important in understanding the effects of organ dysfunction secondary to disease. Adequate treatment of the multiple insults to the body in the seriously ill patient requires a good understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms Undoubtedly, the gradual demise of academic physiology in the United Kingdom has contributed to the current state of affairs. This book explains the basic concepts of physiology in a succinct and didactic fashion. Its aim is to aid the medical student and the junior doctor in obtaining a good understanding of the homeostatic mechanisms of the human body so that the effects of dysfunction of these mechanisms can be better understood. It is also designed to aid with the basic science component of the various royal college examinations that are required to be passed prior to entering specialist training in the United Kingdom. Ashis BanerjeePreface The teaching of physiology at the undergraduate level often fails to provide its students with any enthusiasm or lasting zeal for the subject. This is regrettable because a good knowledge of normal human physiology is critically important in understanding the effects of organ dysfunction secondary to disease. Adequate treatment of the multiple insults to the body in the seriously ill patient requires a good understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Undoubtedly, the gradual demise of academic physiology in the United Kingdom has contributed to the current state of affairs. This book explains the basic concepts of physiology in a succinct and didactic fashion. Its aim is to aid the medical student and the junior doctor in obtaining a good understanding of the homeostatic mechanisms of the human body so that the effects of dysfunction of these mechanisms can be better understood. It is also designed to aid with the basic science component of the various royal college examinations that are required to be passed prior to entering specialist training in the United Kingdom. Ashis Banerjee vii