Preface

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Preface

This text is intended to provide students with the core information and concepts necessary to develop a firm understanding of how the intact cardiovascular system operates. Specifically stated learning objectives, key concepts, and study questions for each chapter allow the student to test for mastery of the material presented. This format lends itself to independent study of the basics, which may be supplemented by additional material for individualized or specialized purposes.

We feel strongly that instruction in cardiovascular physiology should give the student not simply a collection of facts but also an understanding of how the intact cardiovascular system operates. Cardiovascular physiology is often a student's first exposure to the operation of a complete organ system, and the student therefore often finds it confusing to deal with the continual interactions that occur among the various system components. Consequently, we have tried to direct our presentation throughout toward the overall operation of the cardiovascular system rather than attempting to present all available facts.

The changes and additions to this sixth edition are the result of several factors, including new research findings, our own experience in using the previous editions, and helpful comments and criticisms from colleagues and students. For example, we have added a new section in Chapter 8 specifically dealing with overall system hemodynamics. This section is aimed at better explaining how the various components of the cardiovascular circuit interact in the operation of the intact system. As in previous revisions, we have tried to improve the usefulness of the text from the student's perspective. That is, we strive for an interesting, logically arranged text that makes the complex cardiovascular system understandable to the reader. To that end, we have done some rearranging and rewriting, improved and added figures, and updated study questions.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to all colleagues and students who have supplied us with suggestions for improving this text, and we will welcome your comments on and criticisms of this sixth edition.

David E. Mohrman, PhD
Lois Jane Heller, PhD