Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 3d ed.

This is the third edition of Clinically Oriented Anatomy. This regionally organized text is intended for beginning students in the medical and health professions, and, like the first two editions, will be a well-suited text for physical therapy students and graduates of physical therapy programs.

Moore has incorporated many changes and additions that have been suggested since the second edition was printed. One example is the ninth chapter, which in entitled "The Cranial Nerves." This chapter was eliminated from the second edition and has been reinstated in this third edition in response to comments from students who felt a chapter devoted specifically to the cranial nerves was important. Although it duplicates information found in sections on the head and neck, this chapter seems warranted because of its importance for physical examination and diagnosis/evaluation of disease and injury.

Although the total number of illustrations included in the text is less than in the second edition, several have been added or improved upon. Original black and white illustrations have been enhanced with color using photoretouch dyes. More radiographs, nuclear magnetic resonance images, and computerized axial tomography scans have been added, as well as photographs of living subjects. Some of the color photographs are enhanced with line drawing overlays and labels, making identification of surface and deeper structures easier. The author continues to emphasize the practical application of anatomy by including patient-oriented problems that are followed by a discussion section at the end of most chapters. Clinically relevant points can also be found in this well-written and concise text, and are conveniently highlighted in blue.

The first section of the text, entitled "Overview of Anatomy," defines basic orienting terms and concepts that describe structural and functional aspects of normal anatomy. The anatomic position and planes of the body are also defined. Several pages are devoted to osteology. This section looks at bone development, types of bony tissue, and vascular supply. joint and muscle types are described as well as a brief overview of the circulatory system, which focuses on the fundamental differences between arterial, venous, and lymphatic vessels. Finally, the components of the nervous system (central, peripheral, and autonomic) are introduced.

Chapters 1 through 9 are regional discussions of the truck, lower and upper limbs, and head and neck, respectively. Chapter 9 describes the cranial nerves and has also been reinserted after being removed from the second edition.

Physical therapy students and experienced practitioners will find this to be an extremely useful and thorough text. Those familiar with previous editions will not be disappointed. The most recent changes and additions to this third edition are very helpful and informative and make this a text that should be a part of one's personal or office library.