Liebman's Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable, ed 6.

Liebman's Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable, ed 6 Gertz SD. Gaithersburg, MD 20878, Aspen Publishers Inc, 1999, paperback, 210 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-8342-1632-9, $31.

This text was written to provide the beginning student of neuroanatomy with a practical tool for learning what is often the most vexing of subjects. The target audience is first-year medical students, but students in health care-related fields who are studying neuroanatomy would find this book helpful. The author provides the fundamental details necessary for a basic understanding of neuroanatomy and its relationship to clinical medical practice, without presenting extraneous facts.

This book uses a "systems approach" to describe basic human neuroanatomy. The chapters address standard neuroanatomic concerns: microscopic and macroscopic anatomy, sensory systems, motor systems, cerebellum, cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system, reticular system, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, meninges, vascular anatomy, and the ventricular system. The gross anatomical structure of the central nervous system (CNS) is not explained in great detail and is mentioned only as it pertains to the description of a specific functional system (eg, sensory system, motor system). The text contains 23 short, plainly written chapters of 2 to 3 pages in length, with simple but effective drawings that show the highlights of each chapter. The writing style is straightforward--yet not simplistic--and captivating. Humorous vignettes are carefully inserted within many chapters, providing the student with practical and easy-to-remember examples of neuroanatomical details. Each chapter provides the reader with a brief overview, a concise description of an area of the CNS, any accessory details relevant to the basic understanding of the system, and clinical applications. The applications suitably reinforce the presented information and provide some clinical relevance. The final chapter briefly describes many common pathologies of the CNS.

The strength of this book lies in its description of the essential concepts of neuroanatomy and in its extensive accompanying appendixes. The book contains 15 appendixes; each is designed to quickly provide the reader with additional resources in a limited space. One appendix contains a basic atlas of the CNS with adequate drawings of gross CNS morphology and cross-sectional anatomy. Another appendix holds a series of computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance images (MRI). Other appendixes provide standard dermatome maps, muscle action and innervation charts, clinical cerebrospinal fluid values, a cranial nerve function and clinical signs chart, and a table of basic functions of the diencephalon and telencephalon. Still other appendixes address principles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the initial management of the patient with a head injury, and the neurological examination. Sample examination questions, unlabeled pictures, and case studies offer numerous opportunities for readers to test their knowledge. Finally, there are tips on how to take a laboratory (practical) examination.

The most endearing feature of this book is the appendix that presents medical trivia and historical notes. This section is meant to give readers a brief diversion from their studies with entertaining snippets that reinforce much of the neuroanatomy presented. The glossary with word derivations and illustrative examples of modern forms of the word is also enjoyable.

This book should not be used as a primary textbook for a course in the neurosciences. Information on neural development, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, or neuropharmacology is sketchy or absent. There are instances when information is simplified to the point that it is inaccurate or has limited application. The drawings and images provided in the appendixes are not detailed enough to serve as a primary neuroanatomy atlas. Many of the CT and MRI figures are too small to be fully appreciated. Nevertheless, Liebman's Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable is an entertaining and very readable text that would be helpful to the medical student or physical therapist student who is having difficulty mastering neuroanatomy and is looking for a supplemental, "big-picture" reference. As such, this text is not recommended for the clinician looking for a neuroscience reference or review book.

Mark R Wiegand, PT, PhD
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky

Dr Wiegand is Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Program, where he teaches courses in gross anatomy dissection, functional anatomy, and neuroscience.