Introductory biomechanics: from cells to organisms

Abstract

Introductory Biomechanics is a new, integrated text written specifically for engineering students. It provides a broad overview of this important branch of the rapidly growing field of bioengineering. A wide selection of topics is presented, ranging from the mechanics of single cells to the dynamics of human movement. No prior biological knowledge is assumed and in each chapter, the relevant anatomy and physiology are first described. The biological system is then analyzed from a mechanical viewpoint by reducing it to its essential elements, using the laws of mechanics, and then linking mechanical insights back to biological function. This integrated approach provides students with a deeper understanding of both the mechanics and the biology than that obtained from qualitative study alone. The text is supported by a wealth of illustrations, tables, and examples, a large selection of suitable problems and many current references, making it an essential textbook for any biomechanics course. Cambridge Texts in Biomedical Engineering provides a forum for high-quality, accessible textbooks targeted at undergraduate and graduate courses in biomedical engineering. It will cover a broad range of biomedical engineering topics from introductory texts to advanced topics including, but not limited to, biomechanics, physiology, biomedical instrumentation, imaging, signals and systems, cell engineering, and bioinformatics. The series will blend theory and practice, aimed primarily at biomedical engineering students but will be suitable for broader courses in engineering, the life sciences and medicine. C. Ross Ethier is a Professor of Mechanical and