Learning Human Anatomy: A Laboratory Text and Workbook, ed 2.

Learning Human Anatomy: A Laboratory Text and Workbook, ed 2 Guy JF. Stamford, CT 06912-0041, Appleton & Lange, 1998, paperback, 352 pp, illus, $36.

This text was written for undergraduates taking a 1-semester introductory anatomy course with access to either models or human cadavers and organs. The text is organized into 4 units that present a combined regional and systems approach. The first unit includes an overview of the body systems and provides more detailed information on the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular systems and the anatomy of the lower limbs. The next 2 units present the anatomy of the back and upper limbs and the head and neck, respectively. The last unit describes the abdomen, pelvis, and thorax and their associated visceral, exocrine, endocrine, and lymphatic systems. The units present some appropriate, basic tissue histology, which is especially well done for a text such as this.

Each unit is divided into multiple, short lessons followed by a 1- or 2-page exercise that tests the reader's recall of concepts, structures, and relationships. The format of the exercise varies from exercise to exercise. At the end of each unit is a longer, more detailed self-test. There are boxed presentations of activities located throughout the text that the student can complete to reinforce important concepts. These activities include drawing or labeling and, occasionally, answering fill-in-the-blank questions or portions of charts.

The illustrations are black-and-white line drawings that, for the most part, are clear and of sufficient size. These illustrations teach much of the content. Some of the illustrations, however, are very busy. Occasionally the end of a line points at the structure of interest, rather than ending on that structure. This can confuse the student because the exact structure being identified is unclear.

In attempting to include some clinical correlates, the book contains confusing explanations of hernia and the autonomic nervous system. Concerning the latter, the concepts are correct but overly general; additional detail would add clarity. Also, referred pain is mentioned briefly, but it is not sufficiently discussed to be meaningful.

Like most anatomy texts, this book does not emphasize the musculoskeletal system, although it is covered at the basic level. The book's weakest area is in arthrology where ligaments and joint movements are sacrificed for the sake of simplicity. Straight-plane motions, for the most part, are included but movement such as upward and downward rotation of the scapula is not addressed. A few lower-extremity ligaments are included, but no upper-extremity ligaments are considered.

This text is detailed enough to meet the needs of most of its primary audience. As the author has stated, it would require additional course resources to be considered a complete introductory course. The use of combined regional and systems approaches makes the text easy to understand and should assist the student in conceptualizing relationships. The large amount of self-test items that are available should help the student determine his or her own levels of content mastery.

Nancey A Bookstein, EdD, PT University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Denver, Colo

Ms Bookstein is Assistant Professor in the physical therapy program and Senior Instructor in the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology. She teaches gross anatomy to physical therapist, medical, and dental students.