Your body is a fortress under constant assault. Infectious diseases, parasites, environmental toxins, physical trauma, allergens, and natural disasters are some external enemies it faces. From the inside, it is threatened by occasional overzealous allergic, immune, and inflammatory responses, as well as by the cellular mutations that produce cancer. Fortunately, the body's defenses are remarkably successful, and most of the time we are unaware of the drama taking place within our cells and organs.

The intriguing details of this drama make up the field of pathophysiology. Medical students get exhaustive training in this subject, and the best clinicians are masters of it. Yet few laypeople understand the story of how our bodies fail and the marvelous ways they heal themselves.

Now, in 24 half-hour lectures, you will explore the ways the body meets the challenges of disease and injury with remarkable defenses and restorative powers. Your guide is Dr. Anthony A. Goodman, a surgeon, professor, and superb communicator. He presents a systematic survey of what can go wrong, why, and how the body itself responds, as well as what doctors can do to intervene. There is no better demonstration of the wondrous intricacy of the body and the everyday miracle of good health.