Medical Physics covers the applied branch of physics concerned with the application of concepts and methods of physics to diagnostics and therapeutics of human diseases. The first part, Physical and Physiological Aspects of the Body, covers those body systems that have a strong physical component, such as body mechanics, energy household, action potential, signal transmission in neurons, respiratory and circulatory system as well as visual and sound perception. The second part of this volume, Imaging Modalities without Ionizing Radiation, introduces sonography, endoscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging.

The second volume complements the imaging modalities with the use of ionizing radiation: x-ray radiography, scintigraphy, SPECT, and PET. This first part is followed by chapters on radiation treatment of tumors, in particular x-ray radiotherapy, proton and neutron radiation therapy, and brachytherapy. The last part treats aspects of diagnostics and therapeutics beyond radiology, including laser applications, multifunctional nanoparticles and prosthetics.

This first volume

• connects the basic principles of physics with the functionality of the body and with physical methods used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
• covers the first part of the entire field, including the physics of the body and imaging methods without the use of ionizing radiation.
• provides an introduction for Bachelor students to the main concepts of Medical Physics during their first semesters guiding them to further specialized and advanced literature.
• contains many questions & answers related to the content of each chapter.

• is also available as a set together with Volume 2.

  Contents
  Part A: Physical and physiological aspects of the body
  Brief overview of body parts and functions
  Body mechanics and muscles
  Elastomechanics: bones and fractures
  Energy household of the body
  Resting potential and action potential
  Signal transmission in neurons
  Electrophysical aspects of the heart
  The circulatory system
  The respiratory system
  Kidneys
  Basic mechanism of vision
  Sound and sound perception

  Part B: Imaging modalities without ionizing radiation
  Sonography
  Endoscopy
  Magnetic resonance imaging
  Questions & answers

  Autorentext

Hartmut Zabel, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany.