This text uses a comprehensive pedagogical system to help students master the facts and concepts of anatomy and physiology. The text discussion is presented within a supporting framework of learning aids that help organize studying, reinforce learning, and promote problem-solving skills. This approach is followed by a carefully devised set of learning aids at the end of each chapter, designed to help students review the chapter content, evaluate their grasp of key concepts, and utilize what they have learned. The following features comprise the Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology pedagogical system:

Chapter Outline and Objectives An outline that combines chapter topics with their associated learning objectives is presented at the beginning of each chapter to familiarize students with the key concepts they will encounter in their reading.

Predict Questions These innovative critical thinking exercises encourage students to become active learners as they read by challenging students to use their understanding of new concepts to solve a problem. Answers to Predict questions are given at the end of each chapter, allowing students to evaluate their responses and discover the logic used to arrive at the correct answer.

Vocabulary Aids Key terms are set in boldface where they are defined in the chapter, and most terms are included in the glossary at the end of the book. Pronunciation guides are included for difficult words. Because knowing the original meaning of a term can enhance understanding and retention, derivations of key words are given when they are relevant. Furthermore, a handy list of prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms is printed on the inside back cover as a quick reference to identify commonly used word roots.

Chapter Summary The page-referenced summary outline briefly states the important facts and concepts covered in each chapter to provide a convenient “big picture” of the chapter content.

Review and Comprehension Review and Comprehension question sets at the end of each chapter encourage students to assess their understanding of the material they have read. Answering these knowledge-level questions helps students evaluate whether they have met the objectives outlined at the beginning of the chapter.

Critical Thinking These innovative exercises encourage students to apply chapter concepts to solve a problem. Answering these questions helps build a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology while developing reasoning skills. Answers are given in Appendix D.

In addition to the pedagogical framework within the narrative of the text, this book utilizes a highly instructional art program that offers a number of specialized features:

Process Figures Process Figures organize the key occurrences of physiological processes into a series of small steps. Sequence indicators within each Process Figure correspond to the numbered steps along the side, allowing students to zero in on the site where the action described in each step takes place.

Homeostasis Figures Homeostasis Figures are specialized flow charts that diagram the mechanisms body systems employ to maintain homeostasis. The normal range for a given value is represented by the graphs in the center of each figure, and the arrows lead the student to the various sequences of each mechanism.

Color Consistency The colors used to represent different anatomical structures have been applied consistently throughout the book. This reliable pattern of color consistency helps students easily identify the structures in every figure and promotes continuity between figures.

Varying Viewpoints Illustrations depicting complex structures or processes combine macroscopic and microscopic views to help students see the relationships between increasingly detailed drawings. Reference diagrams are provided as needed to orient the reader to the view or plane an illustration represents.

Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology also provides a wealth of clinical examples to illustrate the application of basic knowledge, promote interest, and demonstrate relevance. This information is presented throughout the book in the following features:

Clinical Topics Interesting clinical sidebars reinforce or expand upon the facts and concepts discussed within the narrative, demonstrating how concept knowledge translates to applications in a clinical setting.

Clinical Focus These in-depth boxed essays explore relevant topics of clinical interest. Subjects covered include pathologies, current research, sports medicine, exercise physiology, pharmacology, and clinical applications.

Systems Pathology These boxes explore a specific disorder or condition related to a particular body system. Presented in a modified case study format, each Systems Pathology box begins with a patient history followed by background information about the featured topic. Every Systems Pathology box includes a Predict question specific to the case study and a System Interactions table that summarizes how the condition profiled impacts each body system.