McMinn's Functional and Clinical Anatomy.

McMinn RMH, Gaddum-Rosse P, Hutchings RT, Logan BM. St Louis, MO 63146 Mosby, 1995, paperback, 362 pp, $33.95.

The authors' stated objective is "to provide an account of body structure and function for those who are entering the health care area...enlivened by reference to common diseases and injuries...." They have achieved that objective.

This textbook uses a regional approach to the study of human anatomy. The first part of the book is written to introduce anatomical terminology and to provide a summary of the structure and functions of a typical eukaryotic cell, the four basic tissues, and the body's organ systems. The authors claim that a summary of tissues and body systems followed by additional detail on a regional basis "may not be the usual approach to basic science teaching but [it] is a practical one that will add to student understanding and interest...." Actually, the order of presentation may increase many students' understanding of, and interest in, human anatomy, but the authors' conclusion that such an approach is not the one usually used in regional anatomy textbooks is debatable. There are positive differences, however, between this book and some other regional anatomy textbooks. One difference is the large number of clinical correlations. The majority of the correlations, although greatly simplified, appear to have been written primarily for medical students; however, they also will be of interest to students in the health-related professions.

Another positive feature of this text is the detailed table of contents, which makes finding specific information convenient. Descriptions of anatomical structure are adequate and are supplemented with highly simplified, colored, line drawings and excellent labeled photographs of prepared bones, dissections, and (living) surface anatomy. Radiographs are scattered throughout the book and are helpful. There are summary tables of structures, but many are so general that they are of limited value. There also is an appendix that adequately summarizes muscle attachments, actions, and innervations.

McMinn's Functional and Clinical Anatomy could be a helpful supplemental textbook for students studying human anatomy in a course where they dissect or have access to prosected human anatomical materials. There probably are not enough photographs or illustrations of dissections for this book to stand alone as an atlas except in very basic anatomy courses. Unfortunately, there also are not enough artists' illustrations in this book to provide the orientation required for a student, especially a student taking his or her first gross anatomy course, to fully understand the excellent photographs of dissections. Furthermore, the photographs may be difficult to understand for students who do not have access to dissected human anatomical materials.

McMinn's Functional and Clinical Anatomy is an interesting, informative book with numerous clinical correlations. It is relatively easy to read, except in a few places where the attempt to describe complex structures and functions in simple terms actually may cause more confusion for students in their first anatomy course. Although this book might not stand alone as an effective textbook in many anatomy courses, it certainly is worth examining as a supplemental textbook for students or as a review book for the practicing physical therapist.

William A Roy, PhD, PT
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Dept of Physical Therapy and Anatomy
Jackson, Miss

Dr Roy is Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy. He teaches courses in gross anatomy and neuroscience and has research interests in developmental anomalies of the musculoskeletal system.