Textbook of Anatomy.

Rogers, an anatomy professor, believes that teaching gross anatomy through dissection or by region gives the student detailed, snapshot views of the body without the means of providing a link between the individual parts and the body as a whole, functioning unit. Textbook of Anatomy, organized by systems, is Rogers' attempt to present the myriad of facts that comprise the study of gross anatomy into a form that promotes learning through understanding, rather than learning by memorization.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 has 12 chapters that serve as an introduction to anatomy, cover basic terminology, and present an overview of systems of the body. In part 2, which is the major portion of the book, there are nine sections, each of which develops a single organ system in detail. At the beginning of every chapter in part 2, there is a list of main topics that the reader needs to know before continuing. These topics are referenced by chapter and page number so that they can easily be found. Clinical problems requiring anatomical knowledge are placed at the end of every chapter. Part 3 contains comprehensive, detailed solutions to clinical problems, a glossary of Nomina Anatomica terms, and the index.

Charts and diagrams are liberally used in every chapter. Illustrations are in color, are clearly labeled, and are placed so that they reinforce or clarify the written text without interferring with the flow of thought. Practical information about anatomical facts in relation to clinical practice is set off from the main text in red lines. These clinical notes are a welcome break from the tedious reading of anatomy and direct the reader's attention to the particular fact one needs to know about basic anatomy to interpret the clinical observations.

In order to make this enormous subject area easier to learn, the author uses principles of programmed learning: sections are modules, and chapters are submodules. The principle facts lists, included at chapter beginnings, are the basic building blocks of the text, providing a continuous review of material upon which new information is added.

Textbook of Anatomy was written specifically for medical students to give them an understanding of anatomical facts that will serve as a basis for diagnosis of and treatment of disease. This excellent book should achieve that goal. The use of this text should not, however, be limited to medical students. If used in conjunction with a dissector, physical therapy students would benefit from its holistic approach and its comprehensive coverage of the body as functioning organ systems. Physical therapists, who learned anatomy by a regional approach, or by dissection, may also want to read this book to acquire a more global understanding of the body.