Welsh, Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, ©2026, 3e

Grades: 9 - 12

The third edition of Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology offers high-quality content with enhanced NGSS integration and EL/ELA support. Its high school-friendly presentation combines engaging text and imagery, making it ideal for introductory courses by helping students apply concepts across various fields of study.

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The #1 Program for Today’s High School A&P Course
The third edition of Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology retains the program’s high-quality content and dynamic features and delivers enhanced NGSS integration and EL/ELA support. The high school-friendly presentation masterfully blends text and imagery to engage students with approachable content as they learn to apply concepts to various fields of study, making this an ideal selection for an introductory course.
With this edition of Hole's Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, we welcome Cynthia Prentice-Carver as co-author alongside Charles Welsh, combining their decades of experience in anatomy and physiology classrooms instructing future nurses and other allied health professionals to bring a fresh perspective to this well-respected text.

An updated high school Teacher Manual, available in print and online, includes easy to navigate pacing summary with integrated suggestions for activities and labs, as well as updated vocabulary scaffolding techniques.
Unit projects and thematic, chapter-level case studies bring relevance and real-world application to instruction, focusing on connections to careers in health science.
Expanded Chapter Reviews include new multiple-choice, shortanswer, and critical thinking and clinical application questions.
Lab Data Analysis, Case Study Wrap-ups, and Chapter Projects are designed to help students enhance their engagement with, and proficiency in science and engineering practices.
Online Focus Activities provide interactive labeling and scaffolded vocabulary activities to check student mastery of difficult structures, vocabulary, and concepts.
Concept Overviews offer groundbreaking interactive animations that encourage students to explore key physiological processes and difficult concepts.
The Lab Manuel contains 34 hands-on activities. Dozens of additional virtual labs are included in the digital resources.
Actively Learn delivers hundreds of curated articles to make connections to real-world applications.
Kahoot! uses fun, game show-like quizzes to help students review important material in an engaging way
Anatomy & Physiology REVEALED®, (APR) is the ultimate dissection experience that visually enriches your lectures and labs with 3-D Interactive Models, engaging animations, and real-life images.

Unit 1: Levels of Organization

1. Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
2. Chemical Basis of Life
3. Cells
4. Cellular Metabolism
5. Tissues

Unit 2: Support and Movement

6. Integumentary System
7. Skeletal System
8. Muscular System

Unit 3: Integration and Coordination

9. Nervous System
10. The Senses
11. Endocrine System

Unit 4: Transport

12. Blood
13. Cardiovascular System
14. Lymphatic System and Immunity

Unit 5: Absorption and Excretion

15. Digestive System and Nutrition
16. Respiratory System
17. Urinary System
18. Water, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance

Unit 6: The Human Life Cycle

19. Reproductive Systems
20. Pregnancy, Growth, Development, and Genetics

CHARLES WELSH began his anatomy and physiology teaching career upon graduating with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989. He entered graduate school in 1992 and continued teaching night classes. He accepted his first full-time teaching position at Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 1996. In 1997, he completed his Ph.D. in Comparative Anatomy, Evolutionary Biology, and Ornithology. Teaching primarily in nursing and other allied health programs, he now brings his 30 years of classroom experience to the third high school edition of Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology. Since 2009, he has been teaching at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During this time, he has received several teaching awards, as well as the Mentor of the Year Award for training graduate students to teach anatomy and physiology. Chuck and his wife, Lori, have three children and four grandchildren. They live in the historic town of Harmony, thirty miles north of Pittsburgh, with their youngest son. Chuck is currently restoring a 1977 GMC truck.

CYNTHIA PRENTICE-CRAVER is a co-author of Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, 3e. She has been teaching human anatomy and physiology for over thirty years at Chemeketa Community College and is a member of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) and the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA). Cynthia’s teaching experience both in grades 6–12 and in college, her passion for curriculum development, and her appetite for learning, fuel her desire to write. Her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, B.S. in Exercise Science, and extended graduate coursework in biological sciences have been instrumental in achieving effective results in the courses she teaches. Cynthia co-authored the Martin Laboratory Manual for Human Anatomy & Physiology, 4e and 5e, Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, 15e, and Hole’s Human Anatomy & Physiology, 16e and 2024 Release. Beyond her professional pursuits, Cynthia’s passions include reading and listening to books, attending exercise classes, taking long outdoor walks, attending concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

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