Abstract Core body temperature is one of the most tightly controlled physiological parameters. Normal core body temperature ranges from 36.5 to 37.5°C. Peripheral body temperature, involving the skin and subcutaneous…
Abstract Metabolism refers to the whole range of biochemical reactions that occur within living organisms. Metabolism broadly encompasses anabolism (the building up of larger molecules from smaller ones) and catabolism…
Abstract Exchange of nutrients. The placenta is an unusual organ because it is derived from the tissues of two different organisms: endometrial cells (known as decidual cells in pregnancy) from…
Abstract Triiodothyronine (T3), the strongly biologically active thyroid hormone. T3 comprises only 10% of the hormones released by the thyroid gland. In the circulation, T3 is very highly protein bound…
Abstract High altitude has no consensus definition. It is most commonly defined as corresponding to >2500 m above sea level, where most individuals begin to show physiological adaptations. Long-term habitation…
Abstract The World Health Organization classifies obesity based in the patient’s body mass index (BMI); their weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of their height (in metres): Chapter 86…
Abstract You may wonder what a chapter entitled ‘diving’ is doing in a book for anaesthetists – only the few who work in coastal areas will ever be required to…
Abstract Children are not simply ‘small adults’. The anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults have a significant impact on their anaesthetic management. Chapter 84 Paediatric Physiology Children are…
Abstract It comes as no surprise that there are major endocrine changes during pregnancy. These endocrine changes are the driving force for many of the other physiological and anatomical changes…
Abstract A hormone is a substance released by a cell, gland or organ into the blood, allowing it to exert its signalling effects on tissues elsewhere in the body. Chapter…
