The Best Undergrad Physiology Texbook is ...

BU Medical Sciences
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Hey Everyone,

I have a very weak background in physiology and wanted to find a good textbook to read to learn it better. Can you guys help and tell me what the best textbooks are? (I'm not looking at medical level like Guyton/Boron; I'm trying to find a lower level, intro physio book).

I just want to know if there is a consensus best, or one that is thought to be the best. I've researched this a bit and found these to be on the list but please tell me if you think these are good OR if you have a different one that is great.


  • Human Physiology by Stuart Ira Fox
  • Vander's Human Physiology by Eric Widmaier
  • Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Gerard Tortora
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology by Elaine Marieb
This is just a list I found that were reviewed on other sites... what does SDN say?
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The book I had in undergrad was human physiology by silverthorn. It is a pretty good book.
 
A&P for Dummies was the most in-depth and intensive book I have ever scanned through when my mother bought it for her NCLEX 😛



But in all seriousness, I really like using Vander's when I need to look something up.
 
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my school used the silverthorn, it was readable.

however, the computer CD that comes with it is the best. It is an interactive way to learn all the systems in the body in an informative and fun manner that is reminiscent of putt-putt/pajama sam series (google them).
 
My parents say Guyton....Sorry, that's for Med School..
 
I did use Guyton in my class as well, but I think you are looking for a more brief run through physiology rather than a textbook.

For that I'd say Physiology, Linda Costanzo. It's the 500 page version. Sure it is for medical school but it's more efficient than most textbooks.
 
For Introduction: Vanders

For Medical School: Costanzo

Serious Interest in Physiology: Guyton

If you are looking for an introduction text, Vanders hands down. I have read all three and I feel like Vanders is definitely the best for an introduction.
 
FutureDoc4 said:
For Introduction: Vanders

For Medical School: Costanzo

Serious Interest in Physiology: Guyton

If you are looking for an introduction text, Vanders hands down. I have read all three and I feel like Vanders is definitely the best for an introduction.
Click to expand...

It appears that Vanders is the most popular/respected title here.

I think I will get Vanders!
 
Costanzo's is very good even if you want an introduction. She explains things better than most other books, IMO. I would not recommend Vander's. It was the recommended book for a lower-level physio class I took and it was the most boring read of all time; and I felt like it didn't really explain things well. When I took an upper-level physio and used Costanzo's book, everything made sense because of all her simple diagrams, great explanations, etc.
 
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I have Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies, Authored by Donna Siegfried. It's excellent, and I'd highly advice using it. It's also only twenty-five dollars. =P
 
Kaushik said:
Costanzo's is very good even if you want an introduction. She explains things better than most other books, IMO. I would not recommend Vander's. It was the recommended book for a lower-level physio class I took and it was the most boring read of all time; and I felt like it didn't really explain things well. When I took an upper-level physio and used Costanzo's book, everything made sense because of all her simple diagrams, great explanations, etc.
Click to expand...

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Are you talking about his Costanzo book? Isn't this an overview and not a textbook?

It is too high level for 1st exposure to some systems OR can I figure things out with it?

I kind of want a "good read" like you said, I don't want a dull book. Good writing and explanations is exactly what I'm looking for.
 
bump yo. Is costanzo too difficult for undergrad/intro physiology?
 
yea I had Vanders for my physiology class and wasn't impressed by the way she wrote her explanations of concepts

the kidney chapter is especially confusing
 
thechenster said:
yea I had Vanders for my physiology class and wasn't impressed by the way she wrote her explanations of concepts

the kidney chapter is especially confusing
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up, looks like vanders isn't as good as I thought.

Glad I didn't get it.
 
MCAT guy said:
Are you talking about his Costanzo book? Isn't this an overview and not a textbook?

It is too high level for 1st exposure to some systems OR can I figure things out with it?

I kind of want a "good read" like you said, I don't want a dull book. Good writing and explanations is exactly what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's the book. No, it's not a review book (that would be the BRS book written by the same author...it's even better than the textbook in my opinion).

It may be too high level if you have trouble understanding relationships from graphs, have trouble with simple equations, etc. Otherwise, no, I don't think it's too high level.

I, personally, would not say that any textbook is a good read. If I want a good read, I'll sit down with a nice novel. But, the Costanzo book is an easy-to-read/understand book (in my opinion) and definitely one of my favorite textbooks of all time (only second to The Biology of Cancer by Weinberg). It's concise and explains things well, both of which are rare to find in books these days.

Hope this helps.
 
anyone know of good physio websites or sources for supplemental materials (such as flashcards)?
 
SILVERTHORN!!! One of my favorite textbooks. I use silverthorn even more than I used Guyton in med school classes. Great figures to boot
 
Another great physio book is Review of Medical Physiology, by Ganong.
 
rHinO1 said:
The book I had in undergrad was human physiology by silverthorn. It is a pretty good book.
Click to expand...

I agree. That's the book that I'm currently using, and is definitely a great Physiology book IMO
 
Vanders is solid. It might be a little overwhelming for self study though. Especially the chapter on renal regulation. *shudder*
 
My professor uses Animal Physiology by Sherwood. Anyone else use this? Review? Should I get a different book?
 
As I'm currently sitting in Widmaier's lecture at Boston U, I very strongly recommend his text.
 
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