Control of Human Voluntary Movement.The author states that this "book is intended as an introduction to the study of movement control in man." He further states that "it is not a detailed source book of all current knowledge, but a guide to the subject which highlights some current areas of interest and controversy." As Marsden indicates in the foreword, the book "provides an excellent introduction to the subject" for the beginner and "a coherent review of current knowledge and areas of uncertainty" for the expert. The book is presented in 10 chapters, the first of which is an introduction. Next a full chapter is devoted to each of the following topics: mechanical properties of muscles; motor unit; proprioceptors proprioceptors (prōˈ·prē·ō·sepˑ·terz), n. in muscle, joint, and skin; reflex pathways in the spinal cord spinal cord, the part of the nervous system occupying the hollow interior (vertebral canal) of the series of vertebrae that form the spinal column, technically known as the vertebral column. ; functional consequences of activity in spinal reflex spinal reflex n. A reflex arc involving the spinal cord. pathways; ascending and descending Ascending and Descending is a lithograph print by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher which was first printed in March 1960. The original print measures 14" x 11 1/4”. The lithograph depicts a large building roofed by a never-ending staircase. pathways of the spinal cord; cerebral cortex cerebral cortex Layer of gray matter that constitutes the outer layer of the cerebrum and is responsible for integrating sensory impulses and for higher intellectual functions. ; cerebellum cerebellum (sĕr'əbĕl`əm), portion of the brain that coordinates movements of voluntary (skeletal) muscles. It contains about half of the brain's neurons, but these particular nerve cells are so small that the cerebellum accounts for ; and basal ganglia. Each chapter is well organized, with headings and subheadings. Many figures complement the material presented in the text. Each chapter is followed by a list of "References and Further Reading." The list is further divided into "Review Articles and Books" and "Original Papers." This is an excellent book, particularly given its price. Physical therapy students will find the book a useful source of relevant information, as will clinicians. I have used the book as a reference several times during the past few months, and in each case I was enlightened by the relevant material provided. |
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