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Marieb Human Anatomy & Physiology, 12th edition

Published by Pearson (January 14, 2024) © 2025

  • Katja Hoehn Mount Royal University
  • Lawrence W. Haynes
  • Matthew A. Abbott Des Moines Area Community College

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For the 2-semester A&P course.

Equip learners with 21st century skills for success in A&P and beyond

Marieb Human Anatomy & Physiology motivates and supports learners at every level. Each chapter guides students in mastering A&P terminology, applying knowledge in clinical scenarios, and practicing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required for entry to nursing, allied health and exercise science programs.

The 12th Edition builds on the strengths from previous editions and offers innovative ways to help students visualize connections between concepts with new and updated Focus Figures, updated clinical features and new content reflecting current research.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Chapter Roadmaps provide a visual overview of key concepts and how they relate to each other.
  • Homeostatic Imbalance discussions alert students to consequences of body systems not functioning optimally and clarify and illuminate normal body function.
  • Illustrated Tables present key information and serve as “one-stop shopping” study tools.
  • Focus Figures walk students through complex processes using exceptionally clear, easy-to-follow illustrations with integrated text explanations.
  • A variety of Check Your Understanding self-assessment questions include Apply, Predict, What If?, Draw and Make Connections to reinforce understanding of key concepts.
  • Clinical Case Studies with NCLEX-Style questions challenge students to apply knowledge to realistic clinical scenarios.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW & UPDATED: Content reflects research on mRNA vaccines, localized protein synthesis in the axon of a neuron, 4th meningeal membrane (SLYM), revised developmental pathway of neutrophils and monocytes, updated hypertension values, glymphatic system, evidence for the association of specific viruses with the development of diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
  • NEW: 5 new Focus Figures include 14.1 Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions; 21.1 Overview of the Immune System; 22.1 Mechanics of Breathing at Rest; 25.1 3 Major Renal Processes and 27.1 Meiosis.
  • NEW & UPDATED: Homeostatic imbalance and clinical features reflect advances in understanding and treatment of disorders such as opiate addiction, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, myotrophic lateral sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and more.
  • UPDATED: Terminology based on latest Terminologia Anatomica, Terminologia Histologica and Terminologia Embryologica; Learning Outcomes based on latest HAPS Learning Outcomes.
  • UPDATED: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion including visuals, language, and terminology have been meaningfully revised throughout to reflect a greater diversity of people, e.g., race, ethnicity, body type, age and sex.
  • UPDATED: ADA reflects the latest WCAG guidelines, ensuring text, art and figure keys are fully accessible to all learners. 

Features of Mastering A&P for the 12th Edition

  • NEW: Interactive reading assignments let students read, watch and practice in one seamless experience. Instructors can now assign specific sections of the eTextbook plus coaching and drag and drop assignments, Dynamic Study Modules, and more for auto-grading.
  • NEW: Figure Animations for figures 19.11 Baroreceptor Reflexes, 21.1 An Overview of the Immune System and 27.24 Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles.
  • NEW & UPDATED: Dynamic Study Modules reflect new content and now include shadow questions to prevent students from memorizing questions. Gap Finder: A&P Diagnostic assesses prerequisite knowledge in 5 areas: Study Skills, Math, Chemistry, Cell Biology and Biology Basics. 
  • NEW: Active Reading Guide worksheets support students in actively reading the text, and TEAS and HESI exam practice questions help students prep for the nursing school entrance exam.
  • Virtual lab tools feature new Practice Anatomy Lab (PAL) 4.0 with custom assignability and access to human cadaver, histology, cat, fetal pig, anatomical and interactive 3D models; PhysioEx 10.0 provides physiology lab practice with over 60 lab simulation activities to complement or replace wet labs.
  • EXPANDED: Interactive Physiology 2.0 combines animations, activities and quizzes to help students grasp challenging concepts. 

Features of Pearson+ eTextbook for the 12th Edition

  • NEW: Assignable Pearson+ eTextbook integrates student assignments, including reading, into one place. Instructors can assign specific sections of a chapter plus coaching and drag and drop assignments, Dynamic Study Modules and more for auto-grading.
  • EXPANDED: Over 200 animations and videos embedded in the Pearson+ eTextbook bring A&P concepts to life, featuring Making Connections videos, Figure Animations, A&P Flix 3D animations, Interactive Physiology Animations and more.
  • NEW: Figure Animations reinforce book-specific concepts in focused animations of key figures from the textbook. Embedded Quick Check questions provide the correct answer as soon as the student answers the question. Interactive activities of the animations are also assignable in Mastering.
  • NEW: Embedded Check Your Understanding multiple-choice questions with feedback help students assess their understanding as they read through each section.
  • Career Connection Videos feature a diversity of healthcare professionals describing how the chapter content relates to their everyday work.

UNIT 1: ORGANIZATION OF THE BODY

  1. The Human Body: An Orientation
  2. Chemistry Comes Alive
  3. Cells: The Living Units
  4. Tissue: The Living Fabric

UNIT 2: COVERING, SUPPORT, AND MOVEMENT OF THE BODY

  1. The Integumentary System
  2. Bones and Skeletal Tissue
  3. The Skeleton
  4. Joints
  5. Muscles and Muscle Tissue
  6. The Muscular System

UNIT 3: REGULATION AND INTEGRATION OF THE BODY

  1. Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue
  2. The Central Nervous System
  3. The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity
  4. The Autonomic Nervous System
  5. The Special Senses
  6. The Endocrine System

UNIT 4: MAINTENANCE OF THE BODY

  1. Blood
  2. The Cardiovascular System: The Heart
  3. The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels
  4. The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues
  5. The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses
  6. The Respiratory System
  7. The Digestive System
  8. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance
  9. The Urinary System
  10. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance

UNIT 5: CONTINUITY

  1. The Reproductive System
  2. Pregnancy and Human Development
  3. Heredity

APPENDICES

  • Answers Appendix
  • A. The Metric System
  • B. Functional Groups in Organic Molecules
  • C. The Amino Acids
  • D. Two Important Metabolic Pathways
  • E. Periodic Table of the Elements
  • F. Reference Values for Selected Blood and Urine Studies

Glossary

Photo and Illustration Credits

Index

About our authors

Elaine N. Marieb (1936-2018) received her Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Shortly after she joined the faculty of the biology department at Holyoke Community College, Elaine famously enrolled in a nursing degree program while she was teaching anatomy and physiology to aspiring nursing students. This unique experience gave Elaine special insights into the foundational knowledge that nurses needed to master. Armed with this insight and a clear talent for teaching and writing, Elaine authored Human Anatomy & Physiology which became an immediate hit with instructors and students.

A critical part of Elaine’s legacy is The Elaine Nicpon Marieb Charitable Foundation. The foundation has helped fund numerous science and nursing programs and scholarships at the College of Nursing at University of Massachusetts, Florida Gulf Coast University, Holyoke Community College and Mount Holyoke College as well as sponsoring the Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (HAPS) Marieb, Hoehn, Haynes & Abbott Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Katja Hoehn is a professor emerita in the Department of Biology at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada. Katja's first love is teaching. Her teaching excellence has been recognized by several awards during her 30 years at Mount Royal University. Katja received her M.D. (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan, and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Dalhousie University. She has written numerous research papers in Neuroscience and Pharmacology, and received a Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation Award for excellence in medical research, and a Career Achievement Award from Mount Royal University. Katja likes to spend time outdoors hiking, skiing, and competing in long-course triathlons. She also plays Irish flute down at the local pub.

Lawrence W. Haynes was awarded both Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences, 1980) and Doctor of Philosophy (Physiology, 1984) degrees by the University of California, Davis. After research stints at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, he joined the Department of Physiology at the University of Calgary Medical School in 1989, where he enjoyed teaching medical students and graduate students. His main area of interest has always been phototransduction and he has published a number of papers on the cGMP-gated channels of photoreceptors. He has been involved with this book (behind the scenes) for as long as his partner, Katja, and has authored or revised many Interactive Physiology modules and figure animations. Together, Larry and Katja provide financial support for students in the form of the Hoehn-Haynes scholarship that they established in 2006 for nursing students at Mount Royal University. Larry likes to ski and hike with Katja...but draws the line at triathlons.

Matthew A. Abbott earned his bachelor's degree in biology at Grinnell College and his PhD in genetics at Iowa State University. In 2007, he joined the faculty at Des Moines Area Community College, where he is passionately devoted to helping students learn anatomy and physiology as they prepare for careers in nursing or other allied health fields. For many years, he has contributed to ancillary materials for this textbook as a reviewer and author. Dr. Abbott is a member of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) and the Iowa Association of Community College Biology Teachers (IACCBT). In addition to his love for teaching, he enjoys biking and has participated in RAGBRAI, an annual bicycle ride across his home state of Iowa, over 25 times.

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