Book excerpt: Clinical Physiology of the Venous System is a comprehensive overview of vein physiology. - Presents data in the fields of venous physiology, pharmacology and venous diseases as well as the field of phlebology, which has seen rapid and important progress in the last decade. - Recent developments in venous disorders are covered with regard to pathophysiology; most modern diagnostic methods and therapies. - Venous tone regulation data is presented with a focus on neural; hormonal; local and myogenic control of venous smooth muscle. Special attention was paid to endothelium-derived vasoactive factors involved in the regulation of venous tone. - Take home messages at the beginning of each chapter for quick review. - List of key abbreviations used in the book. - Well illustrated with teaching tables. - Useful for any physician, researcher or student interested in vein physiology.