Introduction -- Cell development -- Skeleton and bones/human -- Skeleton and bones, veterinary aspects -- Anatomy and physiology of muscles -- Physiology of heart and circulation -- The human gastrointestinal tract -- GI tract, veterinary aspects -- Human lung function and respiration -- Lung and respiration, veterinary aspects -- Human kidney function and volume regulation -- Kidney function and volume regulation, veterinary aspects -- The human endocrine system -- Endocrine system, veterinary aspects -- Human nervous system and brain -- Nervous system and brain, veterinary aspects -- Human skin and mucosa -- Skin and mucosa in animals -- Human pregnancy and reproduction -- Reproduction in animals -- Comparative signal transduction -- Population genetics -- Geno- and phenotyping of biomodels -- Juridical aspects of laboratory animals -- Ethical aspects in respect to laboratory animals.

This new volume provides a concise overview of the most basic and exciting chapters of comparative medicine with regards to physiology and function in healthy individuals. The book includes core concepts in anatomy and physiology in human and animal models, which are key to understanding comparative medicine and to making contributions to research in this area.  While writing this book, the authors were in constant interdisciplinary dialogue. They aim to contribute to improvements in quality of life for human and animal patients.  .