Physiology

I agree with the other reviewers. This book is a "must have" for any medical student. Sure, go ahead and buy Guyton & Hall or any other physiology text (if you have the cash) for extreme details, but this book will be good enough 98% of the time. The pictures and diagrams included are just as useful as the text. We already have enough to study for boards, don't use another book and be bogged down by useless detail. Save yourself the grief and just buy this book!

This book is a life saver for physiology in med school. It is easy to read and is short and sweet. She doesn't go into long unecessary details, but gets right to the point. So very helpful for studying as a supplement to physio lectures in med school. She has a shorter board review book, which is also good, but sometimes you just need a better explanation, and this book offers that and more.

I used this book to study for both the USMLE Step 1 and the COMLEX Step 1. The material covered, layout and concise format were invaluable, although the STARS Physiology book by the same author is better if you're not time crunched. The Board Review Series of board texts is excellent and the physiology version is one of the best. Worth the money and a great aide for 1st year students to use during physiology courses.

I was so happy with this book that I didn't even bother looking for any of its competitors. It can be studied in its entirety within about three days, and it covers everything necessary, and in just enough depth, to understand and answer physiology-based questions on the USMLE step 1, without going into extraneous detail. The charts and diagrams are excellent and look very similar to those that appear on the actual exam.The emphasis in this book is on concepts, not equations, which is also mirrored in the USMLE exam. (I didn't have to calculate any equations during my USMLE step 1 exam three days ago: no Fick equation, no water balance, no mean arterial pressure, etc...)The multiple choice questions at the end of each section and the comprehensive exam at the end of the book are also excellent and roughly reflect the content and style of the USMLE step 1 exam.

This book is an excellent resource for persons both entering their first year course in Medical Physiology and for those second-year medical students preparing for USMLE Step 1. A concise, yet detailed text which emphasizes quite clearly the basic principles of Physiology. I am lucky to have had the author, Dr. Costanzo, as a professor and my current advisor. However, having her review text is the next big thing! Detailed pictures and powerful tables and diagrams handsomely supplement her student-oriented presentation style of information. A particularly well written section concerning Renal Acid-Base Physiology, which is Dr. Costanzo's specialty. Any medical student or person taking a Physiology course will not lose a dime by purchasing this book... It is well worth it, believe me! :)