This text provides a focused treatment of the essential concepts of pathophysiology at a level appropriate to most students' needs. Information is presented in a logical progression of conceptual development, treating a core of foundation material in the introduction and first six chapters of Part I. Part II then goes on to explore the patterns of disease in the body's major organ systems. All chapters in Part II provide a review of those aspects of normal anatomy and physiology required for an understanding of the pathophysiology which follows. Great emphasis is placed on the visual components of the text. Photographs have been selected to establish certain points and, where appropriate, these are reinforced with details of the history behind the image. Case studies also provide an insight into the way in which the various imaging, diagnostic laboratory and nursing fields combine to address a given patient's situation.