Hollinshead's Functional Anatomy of the Limbs and Back, 8th ed.

Jenkins DB. Philadelphia, PA 19106, WB Saunders Co, 2002, paperback, 479 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7216-9265-6, $49.95.

The first edition of this text, written by Dr W Henry Hollinshead in 1951, was intended for "beginning non-medical students" and for "those interested in the functions of muscle and movements of the body." It was also intended as a reference for more advanced students interested in functional anatomy. The intended audience for this fine text has remained essentially unchanged over the past half-century.

This text contains 5 sections titled "The Organization of the Body," "The Upper Limb," "The Back," "The Lower Limb," and "The Head, Neck, and Trunk." Each chapter in these sections concludes with review questions and exercises that readers can use to measure their understanding and knowledge. Sidebars titled "Functional/ Clinical Notes," which are located throughout all chapters, nicely relate the subject matter to real-life situations, and sidebars titled "Analyses of Activities and Associated Movements" contain discussions of various everyday functional activities (eg, picking up a coffee cup, hammering a nail). Like chapters in other anatomy texts and atlases, most chapters in this book use tables to summarize muscle attachments, functions, and innervation. What sets this text apart from other anatomy texts, however, is that various functional movements (eg, upward rotation of the scapula) are discussed in terms of what muscles, or parts of muscles, are needed to perform these various movements. The use of color illustrations makes these discussions easy to understand.

Section 1, "The Organization of the Body," contains 3 chapters that introduce readers to anatomical terms, tissues of the body, and organ systems. The illustrations were excellent especially when learning and understanding various organ systems. The "Functional/ Clinical Notes" in the chapter on tissues of the body made reading and learning the material interesting.

Sections 2 and 4--"The Upper Limb" and "The Lower Limb," respectively--begin with chapters that survey each limb and then follow with chapters that detail anatomical structures proximally to distally. Detailed color illustrations adequately demonstrate muscle location and function. "Functional/Clinical Notes" are used liberally throughout these chapters. There is an excellent, short chapter entitled "Movements of the Digits" (chapter 12) that discusses various movements of the digits and various types of grips. The discussion of digit extension was especially well done. The chapter "Movements of the Thigh and Leg" (chapter 18) is superb. Its use of color illustrations is terrific and helps readers understand how various muscles work synergistically to achieve desired movements. There is also a nice synopsis of the gait cycle in chapter 20 "The Foot."

Section 3 consists of a single chapter on the back. Its treatment of bony and soft tissue anatomy, and the spinal cord and spinal nerves is unremarkable from other anatomy texts. However, there is a nice discussion of movements and stability of the vertebral column and a synopsis of causes of low back pain, which many anatomy texts do not address. Again, the color illustrations allow readers to better learn and understand the material.

Section 5, "The Head, Neck, and Trunk," is divided into 3 chapters--"The Head and Neck," "The Thorax," and "The Abdomen and Pelvis." These chapters are thorough, well written, and, with the help of illustrations and tables, easy to understand. However, compared to other anatomy texts, these chapters are unremarkable. As in previous sections in this book, the illustrations are well done.

Like previous editions, this eighth edition is a fine anatomy text that serves its readers well. Its coverage of human anatomy, although not as in-depth as some other anatomy texts, is extensive and, with its well-drawn illustrations, easy to understand. This text can be used in physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and other health care-related education programs and used by clinicians interested in reviewing and relearning functional anatomy.

James L Karnes, PT, PhD D'Youville College Buffalo, NY

Dr Karnes is Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy.