The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an ensemble of non-cellular components present within all tissues and organs of the human body. The ECM provides structural support for scaffolding cellular constituents and biochemical and biomechanical support for those events leading to tissue morphogenesis, differentiation and homeostasis. Essential components of all ECMs are water, proteins and polysaccharides. However, their composition, architecture and bioactivity greatly vary from tissue to tissue in relation to the specific role the ECM is required to assume. This book overviews the role of the ECM in different tissues and organs of the human body.

Disclosure statement: Topic Editor Prof. Silvia Salinas Blemker is a Co-founder and Vice President of Springbok, Inc. Charlottesville, VA. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

Suitable for dance teachers and students, as well as for dance professionals, this text covers the basic anatomical and biomechanical principles that apply to optimal performance in dance. Focusing on skeletal and muscular systems, it provides the understanding needed to improve movement and reduce injuries.

A&P may be complicated, but learning it doesn't have to be! Anatomy & Physiology, 11th Edition uses a clear, easy-to-read approach to tell the story of the human body's structure and function. Color-coded illustrations, case studies, and Clear View of the Human Body transparencies help you see the "Big Picture" of A&P. To jump-start learning, each unit begins by reviewing what you have already learned and previewing what you are about to learn. Short chapters simplify concepts with bite-size chunks of information. - Conversational, storytelling writing style breaks down information into brief chapters and chunks of information, making it easier to understand concepts. - 1,400 full-color photographs and drawings bring difficult A&P concepts to life and illustrate the most current scientific knowledge. - UNIQUE! Clear View of the Human Body transparencies allow you to peel back the layers of the body, with a 22-page, full-color insert showing the male and female human body along several planes. - The Big Picture and Cycle of Life sections in each chapter help you comprehend the interrelation of body systems and how the structure and function of these change in relation to age and development. - Interesting sidebars include boxed features such as Language of Science and Language of Medicine, Mechanisms of Disease, Health Matters, Diagnostic Study, FYI, Sport and Fitness, and Career Choices. - Learning features include outlines, key terms, and study hints at the start of each chapter. - Chapter summaries, review questions, and critical thinking questions help you consolidate learning after reading each chapter. - Quick Check questions in each chapter reinforce learning by prompting you to review what you have just read. - UNIQUE! Comprehensive glossary includes more terms than in similar textbooks, each with an easy pronunciation guide and simplified translation of word parts — essential features for learning to use scientific and medical terminology! - NEW! Updated content reflects more accurately the diverse spectrum of humanity. - NEW! Updated chapters include Homeostasis, Central Nervous System, Lymphatic System, Endocrine Regulation, Endocrine Glands, and Blood Vessels. - NEW! Additional and updated Connect It! articles on the Evolve website, called out in the text, help to illustrate, clarify, and apply concepts. - NEW! Seven guided 3-D learning modules are included for Anatomy & Physiology.

Describes the structural and functional features of the various types of cell from which the human body is formed, focusing on normal cellular structure and function and giving students and trainees a firm grounding in the appearance and behavior of healthy cells and tissues on which can be built a robust understanding of cellular pathology.

The role of the fascia in musculoskeletal conditions and as a body-wide communication system is now well established. Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body constitutes the most comprehensive foundational textbook available that also provides the latest research theory and science around fascia and their function. This book is unique in offering consensus from scientists and clinicians from across the world and brings together the work of the group behind the international Fascia Research Congress. It is ideal for advanced sports physiotherapists /physical therapists, musculoskeletal/orthopaedic medicine practitioners, as well as all professionals with an interest in fascia and human movement. The comprehensive contents lay the foundations of understanding about fascia, covering current scientific understanding of physiology and anatomy, fascial-related disorders and associated therapies, and recently developed research techniques. - Full colour illustrations clearly show fascia in context - New content based on latest research evidence - Critical evaluation of fascia-oriented therapies by internationally trusted experts - Chapter outlines, key points and summary features to aid navigation - Accompanying e-book version include instructional videos created by clinicians

Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix: A Multiscale Quantitative Approach introduces biomechanics and biophysics with applications to understand the biological function of the extracellular matrix in health and disease. A general multiscale approach is followed by investigating behavior from the scale of single molecules, through fibrils and fibers, to tissues of various organ systems. Through mathematical models and structural information, quantitative description of the extracellular matrix function is derived with tissue specific details. The book introduces the properties and organization of extracellular matrix components and quantitative models of the matrix, and guides the reader through predicting functional properties. This book integrates evolutionary biology with multiscale structure to quantitatively understand the function of the extracellular matrix. This approach allows a fresh look into normal functioning as well as the pathological alterations of the extracellular matrix. Professor Suki's book is written to be useful to undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers interested in the quantitative aspects of the extracellular matrix. Researchers working in mechanotransduction, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics, and multiscale biomechanics of tendon, cartilage, skin, and bone may also be interested in this book. - Examines the evolutionary origins and consequences of the extracellular matrix - Delivers the first book to quantitatively treat the extracellular matrix as a multiscale system - Presents problems and a set of computational laboratory projects in various chapters to aid teaching and learning - Provides an introduction to the properties and organization of the extracellular matrix components

Renowned for its clarity and accessibility of writing style, this popular volume explains the fundamental principles of human anatomy and physiology while exploring the factors that contribute to disease process. Rich with helpful learning features such as Mechanisms of Disease, Health Matters, Diagnostic Study, and Sport and Fitness, this volume has been fully updated to make full reference to European healthcare systems, including drugs, relevant investigations and local treatment protocols. The also book comes with an extensive website facility (which includes a wide array of helpful lecturer resources) and accompanying Brief Atlas of the Human Body and Quick Guide to the Language of Science and Medicine. Anatomy and Physiology, Adapted International Edition, will be ideal for students of nursing and allied health professions, biomedical and paramedical science, operating department practice, complementary therapy and massage therapy, as well as anyone studying BTEC (or equivalent) human biology. - Unique 'Clear View of the Human Body' allows the reader to build up a view of the body layer by layer - Clear, conversational writing style helps demystify the complexities of human biology - Content presented in digestible 'chunks' to aid reading and retention of facts - Consistent unifying themes, such as the 'Big Picture' and 'Cycle of Life' features, help readers understand the interrelation of body systems and how they are influenced by age and development - Accompanying Brief Atlas of the Human Body offers more than 100 full-colour transparencies and supplemental images that cover body parts, organs, cross sections, radiography images, and histology slides - Quick Guide to the Language of Science and Medicine contains medical terminology and scientific terms, along with pronunciations, definitions, and word part breakdowns for terms highlighted in the text - Numerous feature boxes such as Language of Science and Language of Medicine, Mechanisms of Disease, Health Matters, Diagnostic Study, FYI, and Sport and Fitness provide interesting and important side considerations to the main text - More than 1,400 full-colour photographs and spectacular drawings illustrate the most current scientific knowledge and help bring difficult concepts to life - Quick Check Questions within each chapter help reinforce learning by prompting readers to review what they just read - Chapter outlines, chapter objectives and study tips begin each chapter - Outline summaries, review questions, critical thinking questions, and case studies are included at the end of each chapter - Study Hints found throughout the text give practical advice to students about mnemonics or other helpful means of understanding or recall - Connect IT! features link to additional content online to facilitate wider study - Helpful Glossary and Anatomical Directions - Ideal for students who are new to the subject, or returning to study after a period of absence, and for anyone whose first language is not English