Medical Physiology: A Cellular and Molecular Approach [With Access Code]

While in my first year of medical school, I have gone to the library and tried out the most popular physiology books. Guyton and Hall and Berne and Levy left much to be desired. The Lange Review is more of a review and simply doesn't teach things. There were concepts that I just didn't understand in these books that the authors assume a medical student should have as pre-req knowledge. An example is a concept that relies a lot on physics (NOT one of my strengths!) Surfactant and surface tension. When I opened up Boron, it explained in detail with FOUR pictures... and A-ha! I understood in 5 minutes what had taken ages of confusion in Berne and Levy. So, if you learn visually, need pictures and would like a bit more explanation and teaching in your physiology book, Boron is the textbook for you! Yes, it does go deep into detail that is beyond what I will need during first year... but I just skim over those areas and focus on the parts that are most critical. It is so well-written that it is truly a joy to read! The authors are excellent teachers and have made many complicated subjects understandable. A hint to Beginners: As I am a beginner in physiology, I MUST start a body system by reading the introduction chapter. For example, I read the intro to cardiovascular system before jumping into how the heart pumping mechanism works... But as long as I read the intro chapter and have a decent grasp on the organs involved, I can hop right into the physiology on my next read. Medical Physiology inspires me to keep reading and keep learning. There are clinical examples, good referencing to topics previously discussed, and an extra plus, I can download ALL the diagrams and text from the studentconsult website! This allows me to download and carry the entire textbook around with me on my iPhone! Very convenient to review on my morning bus commute. (This book weighs a ton! Awesome to be able to fit it all into my pocket!) In addition to all of the Pros of buying this textbook, I should also point out that it was released in 2009 and currently is the most up-to-date textbook. Thus, it incorporates quite a bit from molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics. It is truly on the cutting-edge of current understanding in these fields. If in doubt, go to the bookstore or library and skim through several physiology books. Pick up Medical Physiology and try reading a topic that you find complicated. You will find that Boron outshines the other texts by far! Happy Reading!

This book is a gem. What is great about it is that since it teaches fundamental biophysical mechanisms, I could apply the principles to areas that it does not cover. Specially for the nerve membrane section, I felt that the writing was not only lucid but also sufficiently in-depth to apply the information to real life. While it may not lead to high USMLE scores directly, the book will definitely create a solid base on which to build upon later. More efforts to be comprehensive would lead to a tome like Gray's Anatomy.

A+ This book spectacularly integrates modern understanding of biochemical and genetic processes with clinically relevant explanations. Medicine cannot avoid the increasing focus towards the molecular and genetic bases of disease, so I disagree with some of the other reviews that there is too much of a molecular focus. If you plan to enter into medicine and be the best physician/researcher you can, get comfortable with this stuff early. That said, if you are not someone who thrives on filling their head up just for the sake of more deeply understanding processes, and instead have limited time and memory and simply need MCAT or USMLE-relevant information, perhaps you are better off getting another book. Because of its multiple contributors, each section manages to go into incredible detail that would not have been possible with a single author. The result is a 1200+ page beast that assumes relative comfort with biochem, genetics, thermodynamics, etc. If you read this book and understand it, you're on your way.

I'm a pre-med who purchased this book for personal interest and to supplement my physiology and biology course materials. It is exceptionally detailed and beautifully illustrated. Its very easy to read and less dry than similar physio books (ie Guytons). I also enjoy the various clinical applications which are incorperated largely throughout the text. Something else to mention is that it has a great chapter on gene expression which is becoming exceedingly important in medicine and the basic sciences. Highly up to date and highly recommended as a reference / learning text. Be warned however that my book's binding came completely loose after a very short period of time and required a little TLC on my part and about $10.00 in 10lb test double sided tape. Its good as new now though!

No question this is the best physiology text going. Thorough, detailed, but has plenty of summary sections to keep everything organized. Very biophysical in sections, which I suspect many med students won't like, but everything's here you'll need. The sole (minor) problem is that the jpeg files on the CDRom are rather low resolution which makes them look fuzzy in a Powerpoint presentation. Otherwise, superb.