Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease: An Interactive Journey for Health Professionals, 4th edition
Published by Pearson (May 18, 2025) © 2026
  • Bruce J. Colbert
  • Jeff J. Ankney
  • Luis A. Bonachea

Title overview

For courses in anatomy & physiology for health professions, and comprehensive medical assisting.

Where A&P meets pathology: A stimulating exploration for health professionals

Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease is an engaging introduction to the link between A&P and pathology, with an emphasis on clinical applications. Conversational and humorous, it uses real-world analogies to support understanding over memorization and to help students make lasting connections.

The 4th Edition incorporates major changes in health care, such as those prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes two new appendices referencing common diagnostic tests and medications.

Hallmark features of this title

Focus on clinical applications

  • Two case studies woven throughout the text illustrate key concepts and multisystem effects. One follows a patient with diabetes, the other a patient with a spinal cord injury.
  • Clinical Applications feature presents current research on A&P topics addressed in chapters.
  • Pharmacology Corner feature gives examples of common medications used to treat various diseases.

Learning aids

  • Test Your Knowledge and end-of-chapter review questions, along with an answer key, let learners check their understanding at key junctures.
  • Focus on Professions feature highlights health care career options in the context of A&P topics.
  • Study Success Companion at the end of the text offers study skills and stress management tips.

New and updated features of this title

The most up-to-date clinical data

  • NEW: New references to important changes in health care and recent emerging diseases have been added, especially regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • NEW: Two new appendices reference common diagnostic tests and medications. Previous edition appendices include coverage of medical terminology, lab reference values, nutritional information, and the multisystem effects of various diseases and conditions.

Enhanced coverage and pedagogy

  • UPDATED: Improved explanations of key processes cover areas such as cellular respiration, the cardiac cycle and sex determination.
  • UPDATED: Language updates reflect the diversity of patient backgrounds and experiences, positioning patients before their conditions.
  • EXPANDED: Added figures and photographs complement explanations. Select drawings with side-by-side micrographs help learners connect illustrative concepts to real-world applications.

Key features

Features of MyLab Health Professions for the 4th Edition

  • NEW: Credly badges can be earned and posted to job websites, resumes and professional portfolios. To earn a badge, students must achieve a set score on a final comprehensive exam.
  • UPDATED: Pronounce and Spell helps build fluency in medical terminology, with emphasis on pronunciation. A built-in technology assesses and scores students’ pronunciation so they can continue to improve.
  • Videos and animations depict and explain anatomical structures and physiologic principles.
  • Anatomy Labeling Exercises offer interactive “drag and drop” games covering all body systems.
  • Dynamic Study Modules pose a handful of questions and then respond to each student’s progress in real time. Learners deepen their grasp of concepts as they go.
  • Pearson+ eTextbook lets students choose how they learn best. Part of your MyLab course, Pearson+ merges easy-to-use eTextbooks with study tools.

Table of contents

  1. Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease
  2. The Human Body
  3. Biochemistry
  4. The Cells
  5. Tissues and Systems
  6. The Skeletal System
  7. The Muscular System
  8. The Integumentary System
  9. The Nervous System
  10. The Endocrine System
  11. The Senses
  12. The Cardiovascular System
  13. The Respiratory System
  14. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
  15. The Gastrointestinal System
  16. The Urinary System
  17. The Reproductive System
  18. Basic Diagnostic Tests
  19. The Journey’s End
  • The Study Success Companion

APPENDICES

  1. Medical Terminology, Word Parts, and Singular and Plural Endings
  2. Clinical Abbreviations and “Do Not Use” List
  3. Infectious Diseases and Their Pathogens
  4. Laboratory Reference Values
  5. Multisystem Effects of Various Diseases and Conditions
  6. Vitamins and Minerals: Sources, Functions, and Effects of Deficiency and Toxicity
  7. Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions
  8. Common Diagnostic Tests and Results
  9. Common Medications and Their Usage

Glossary

Answer Key

Author bios

About our authors

Bruce Colbert is past Director of the Allied Health Department at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where he taught Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology along with several other courses. He holds a master’s degree in health education and administration, has authored 12 books and several articles, and has given more than 300 invited lectures and workshops at both the regional and national levels. Many of his workshops provide teacher training involving techniques to make the health sciences engaging and relevant to today’s students. In addition, Bruce has presented workshops on developing effective critical and creative thinking, stress and time management, and study skills. He is an avid basketball player, even after three knee surgeries.

Jeff Ankney was the Director of Clinical Education for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Respiratory Care program, where he was responsible for the development and evaluation of hospital clinical sites as well as directing all other aspects of clinical education. Jeff has served as a public-school teacher, Assistant Director of Cardiopulmonary Services, Program Coordinator of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (also creating several pulmonary rehabilitation programs for numerous hospitals) and a member of hospital utilization review, hospital policy and patient safety committees. He was a consultant on hospital management and currently serves on patient safety and hospital quality committees. Jeff was also the recipient of the American Cancer Society Public Education Award.

Luis Bonachea is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He received his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin before teaching as an instructor at San Jose State University in California. He has been teaching biology, in particular anatomy and physiology courses, for 20 years.

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