Water, sodium and potassium
Chapter 2 Water, sodium and potassium Introduction Water distribution Water accounts for approximately 60% of body weight in men and 55% in women, the difference reflecting the typically greater body…
Hydrogen ion homoeostasis and blood gases
Chapter 3 Hydrogen ion homoeostasis and blood gases Introduction The normal processes of metabolism result in the net formation of 40–80 mmol of hydrogen ions per 24 h, principally from the oxidation…
The kidneys
Chapter 4 The kidneys Introduction The kidneys have three major functions: • excretion of waste • maintenance of extracellular fluid (ECF) volume and composition, including acid-base balance • hormone synthesis….
Lipids, lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease
Chapter 14 Lipids, lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease Introduction The major lipids present in the plasma are fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids. Other lipid-soluble substances, present in much smaller amounts…
Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism
Chapter 11 Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism Introduction Glucose is a major energy substrate. It typically provides more than half the total energy requirements of a typical ‘western’ diet and is…
The locomotor and nervous systems
Chapter 15 The locomotor and nervous systems Introduction It is convenient to consider these systems in the same chapter. Although the diseases that affect them may show little or no…
Plasma proteins and enzymes
Chapter 13 Plasma proteins and enzymes Introduction Proteins are present in all body fluids, but it is the proteins of the blood plasma that are examined most frequently for diagnostic…
The thyroid gland
Chapter 9 The thyroid gland Introduction The thyroid gland secretes three hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), both of which are iodinated derivatives of tyrosine (Fig. 9.1), and calcitonin, a…
The adrenal glands
Chapter 8 The adrenal glands Introduction The adrenal glands have two functionally distinct parts: the cortex and the medulla. The adrenal cortex is essential to life; it produces three classes…
