Clinically Oriented Anatomy

Proclaiming itself as ‘the world's best-selling anatomy text’, this 5th edition within 25 years, of a comprehensive instruction manual, maintains its reputation in the fiercely competitive field of anatomy publications. Its translation into six languages (except UK English) appears to justify this claim. In so static a subject with an unchanging content, this new edition nonetheless has expanded from its previous 4th edition by an additional 45 pages and by the inclusion for the first time of two CD-ROM disks, bringing it into the computer age. The extensive pedagogical experience of the two main authors, aided and abetted by a host of international contributors and advisors, is evident in the highly organized layout of the contents. There are nine main sections; an initial overview, followed by a topographical approach to the thorax, abdomen, pelvis/perineum, back, upper and lower limbs, head and neck, terminating with the cranial nerves. Each section is colour coded along a thumb index, allowing access to each region independently. A short ‘History of Anatomy’ section provides the student with a brief background and rationale for studying anatomy. The essence of the text focuses on the clinical applications rather than the minutiae of esoteric facts that characterize classical anatomy texts. The use of full-colour surface anatomy photographs and various modalities of diagnostic images (X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, echograms, endoscopes, etc.), together with explicit traditional diagrams, integrates immediately the relevance of anatomy to a clinical purpose. The vivid use of colour throughout the text enhances the tutelage of the writing. Blue background boxes interspersed with the descriptive text emphasize the clinical aspects of the structures. A final ‘Bottom Line’ provides a succinct summary, reinforcing the clinical applications pertinent to the part. There are two CD-ROMs enclosed in the cover. The disks are compatible with either the Mac or PC computer platforms. One is a self-study programme orientated to the text, with interactive multiple choice questions and case studies related to each chapter, with answers supplied. The other disk, not directly related to the book's contents, is a DVD-ROM entitled ‘Primal 3D Anatomy’, which is Windows 98/Me/2000/XP compatible and offers a ‘45-day free trial’ to ‘Interactive Functional Anatomy’ using 3D models of MRI images generating layered rotatable anatomical illustrations. After the trial period expires, a hefty activation fee is required. I was unable to review this DVD-ROM as the disk provided with the review book was corrupt. However, a web-based online access to this program is available at http://www.primalpictures. com that allows a free 24-h trial, after which a subscription fee is required. Additionally, there is available an Instructor's Resource DVD, with JPEG format images exportable for PowerPoint presentation, and a question bank of approximately 500 review questions and answers. The publishers cannily require one to contact the company's ‘Customer Care’ service to obtain an institutional single-site licence to obtain this ‘crib’ item. The electronic study tools accompanying this text provide an undoubtedly enhanced form of teaching that makes this a valuable resource for both undergraduate and graduate levels of anatomy courses. The lists of references and suggested readings at the ends of the sections are as much up to date as is possible with textbook publishing. This book extends the field of anatomy into every health profession dealing with the human body, and, as such, is highly recommended for clinical practitioners as much as for students.