Best books and resources for Medical School Physiology and the Physiology NBME 2024
We know that getting a consensus on the best books and resources for any given class can be difficult. Asking friends, searching SDN, and consulting seniors can provide a confusing mixed bag of advice.
Turns out, we've done the work for you. Compiled below are comprehensive recommendations on the best books and resources. Click here to find out how we ranked each resource as well as a description of the tiers used. Happy studying!
Highest Yield — The best physiology book for medical school
Physiology — Costanzo
Physiology has proven to be a reliable review text for first year medical students. It is a concise but thorough, paragraph based review of physiology with informative diagrams the occasional vignette and "sample problems" that help direct learning. Each chapter finishes with "Challenge Me" questions which are usually quick one liner questions that are answered in the back of the book.
BRS Physiology - Costanzo
If you prefer an outline-based text, Dr. Costanzo, formerly of VCU School of Medicine, also writes the shorter, more condensed BRS Physiology which, in 328 pages, compacts her longer Physiology into the typical BRS outline format. Her clear prose continues in BRS and each chapter ends with high yield review questions.
Next Steps
Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials — West
Among his many accomplishments, John West, Professor Emeritus of the UCSD SOM, wrote the first edition of his Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials in 1973. Now on it's 10th edition, West's short and concise red text continues to educate medical students on respiratory physiology in a colloquial, easy to read format. Each chapter ends with a quick "Key Concepts" summary in addition to a number of questions. A must have if you're struggling with flow loops and ventilation-perfusion ratios.
Physiology Cases and Problems — Costanzo
Costanzo also released a case and question in which she goes over 62 vignettes with a number of questions for each case and then goes over the questions in detail — a very effective way of testing yourself and then learning the concepts behind the problems.
Physiology PreTest Self-Assessment and Review — Metting
Unlike Costanzo's Cases and Problems socratic method, PreTest is chock full of about 500 board style quick questions with relatively quick answer explanations. Use to identify high yield topics and ensure you understand the material.
If you have time
Textbook of Medical Physiology — Guyton & Hall
If you find yourself wanting a complete textbook to understand physiological concepts, Guyton and Hall's text highly-valued text thoroughly addresses physiology and pathophysiology for medical students. Clear prose with illustrations and diagrams on most pages to help with understanding; a high yield reference text.