A.D.A.M. Standard 2.0.

The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co Inc, Redwood City, CA 94065. Minimum System Requirements: IBM PC or compatible with a 386/33 MHz processor (485 recommended); Microsoft Windows 3.1, 8 MB RAM, 6 MB hard disk space, SVGA monitor with 256 colors, double-speed CD-ROM drive, MPC-compatible sound card. (A Macintosh version is also available. Price: $795.

Animated Dissection of Anatomy for Medicine, or A.D.A.M., is purported to be an anatomical, dissection, and medical information organizing tool. It is the much-heralded software that reportedly is supplanting cadaverous dissection in many medical and physical therapy schools because of its case of use and life-like graphics. The program was tested on an AcerNote 735C, 486/33 Mhz with a 205 MB hard drive, 8 MB RAM, an SVGA monitor, a quad-speed (4x) external CD-ROM drive, and a Wavjammr MPC-compatible sound card.

The initial screen of this software has a window with a body displayed inside it. There are icons surrounding the window representing various functions, such as zoom," "identify," "find," "operating room," and "box cut." There are also buttons for various views of the body. On the right side of the display screen, there is a depth bar that allows you to dissect the pictured area in layers. There are also drop-down menus that allow you to change the gender, skin color, and race of the patient. Through this menu, you can also choose to view specific body systems. The default body system displayed is the full anatomy, and this has the most options. The standard version of A.D.A.M. is designed with 167 anterior, 87 posterior, 3 medial, and 5 lateral dissectible layers. With each layer, you may point the mouse at a structure and have a label pop up naming that structure. There is also an audible pronunciation available for certain structures. If you cannot find a structure through pointing the mouse, there is a search field in which you can type in the name of the structure. There are also magnetic resonance images of various structures, as well as horizontal cuts available for viewing.

The software is easy to use and install, and with a Windows platform, even a novice can navigate through any of the screens. There is technical support available via telephone or CompuServe. The manual is easy to read, but seems to be written for the comprehensive version of A.D.A.M. It is, therefore, sometimes confusing when features are mentioned that are not available in the standard version.

This software could be used by physical therapy students at home or in a lab situation to augment cadaverous dissection or in a functional anatomy course. I have also used it in a lecture format with an LCD panel displaying the image via an overhead projector onto a movie screen. The images displayed can also be printed, providing excellent anatomical drawings. The drawbacks with this version include decreased detail in the listing of ligaments in the ankle and hand and a decrease in the number of dissectible layers that are most evident in dissection of the posterior hand. Unfortunately, the lateral arm cannot be viewed in this version. A.D.A.M. technical support has informed me that these shortcomings have been addressed in the comprehensive version of A.D.A.M. The comprehensive version, however, costs twice as much as the standard version. Because of these shortcomings, the standard version would not be the perfect choice for a supplement to an anatomy course. I do feel, however, that it is a giant step forward in the available armamentarium of anatomy software, and the standard version could be put to use on a limited basis in a physical therapy curriculum.

Eugene R Boeglin, Jr, PT, OCS Milton Orthopaedic & Sports Physical

Therapy, PC Milton, Mass

Mr Boeglin is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and is Co-owner, Milton Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, PC. He is also a lecturer at Newbury College.