Atlas of Palpatory Anatomy of Limbs and Trunk.

Atlas of Palpatory Anatomy of Limbs and Trunk Tixa S. Netter FH, illus. Teterboro, NJ 07608, Icon Learning Systems, 2003, hardcover, 436 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-929007-24-8, $55.

This text is a photographic atlas that is designed to help teach palpation of anatomical structures on living subjects. It is a single volume, reflecting a merger of the author's previous 2-volume set on the upper and lower extremities.

The body is approached from a regional perspective. Part I begins with the neck, trunk, and sacrum. It then proceeds through the upper extremity from the proximal to distal ends. Similarly, part II covers the lower extremities in a proximal to distal sequence.

Each region is introduced by 4-color drawings by Dank Netter, which replace the ink line drawings of the previous 2-volume set. Palpation photographs begin with bony landmarks, then move to musculotendinous structures, followed by joints and ligaments, and ending with nerves and vessels. Each anatomical structure is illustrated by a separate photograph, with the subject posed to maximize its delineation. An examiner's finger points to the structure. A brief paragraph of text names it and explains how to isolate the structure on a living subject.

There are more than 700 black-and-white photographs that are well posed and illuminated, clearly showing the intended anatomical structure. The pages are slightly smaller than those of the original 2-volume set (now 10 in x 6 in instead of 11 in x 8 in), so the photographs are slightly smaller in size. All of the same photographs are included, however; and in the same sequence as in the previous set. This smaller single volume is more portable and less expensive than the previous 2-volume set, making it more attractive to students. Clinicians and instructors, however, may still wish to have the larger format photographs.

The text segments are clearly written. Standard terminology is used, but it has not been updated to the most recent version (Terminologia Anatomica: International Anatomical Terminology. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme; 1998). For example, peroneus longus muscle has not been changed to fibularis longus muscle. As a helpful compromise, future editions should add the new terms and put the old ones in parentheses.

This volume is a comprehensive, clear, and artistic resource. It should be useful to physical therapist students for learning both surface anatomy and clinical examination techniques. It also should be an appealing text to instructors and clinicians.

Marjorie Moore, PT, PhD

College of St Catherine

Minneapolis, Minn

Dr Marjorie is Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, where she teaches gross anatomy, neuroscience, radiology, and embryology.