Clinical Anatomy by Systems
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Overview
Clinical Anatomy by Systems is the first anatomy textbook featuring a systems-based approach geared to medical school programs that have adopted an integrated, organ system-based curriculum. Based on Dr. Snell's established and successful gross anatomy textbook, Clinical Anatomy, this book uses most of the schematic illustrations and many of the same pedagogical features to approach the study of anatomy from a systems-based orientation.
Basic anatomy sections supply basic information for diagnostic and treatment purposes and for performing medical procedures. Numerous imaging examples and labeled photographs of cross-sectional anatomy are included to help students think in terms of three-dimensional anatomy. Surface anatomy sections provide surface landmarks of important anatomic structures located beneath the skin and often bypassed by practicing clinicians.
Physiologic and embryologic notes are interspersed with basic anatomical material to point out the functional significance of the material and provide developmental anatomy information that is essential for the understanding of the structure and relationships of organs. Congenital anomalies that may affect the respective organs are listed after these notes.
Chapter opening outlines highlight the important concepts students should take away from each chapter. End-of-chapter review questions and answers provide valuable assistance in board and course review.
A free bound-in CD-ROM contains clinical notes, information on congenital anomalies, radiographic anatomy, and clinical problem-solving exercises. The clinical notes emphasize the structures that the physician will encounter when making a diagnosis and treating a patient. They also provide the anatomic knowledge necessary to understand many procedures and techniques and note the anatomic "pitfalls" commonly encountered. The problem-solving sections consist of case histories followed by multiple-choice questions and answers with rationales.
This textbook responds to the growing trend of the medical school curriculum moving toward an integrated, organ system-based approach. Based on Snell's established and successful gross anatomy textbook, Clinical Anatomy, this book uses most of the schematic illustrations and many of the same pedagogical features to approach the study of anatomy from a systems-based orientation.
Synopsis
Clinical Anatomy by Systems is the first anatomy textbook featuring a systems-based approach geared to medical school programs with an integrated, organ system-based curriculum. The book uses most of the schematic illustrations and pedagogical features of Dr. Snell's successful textbook Clinical Anatomy to approach the study of anatomy from a systems-based orientation.
The text details the anatomic structures encountered in clinical practice and includes numerous imaging examples and labeled photographs of cross-sectional anatomy. Physiologic and embryologic notes and listings of congenital anomalies are interspersed with anatomical material. End-of-chapter review questions and answers provide valuable assistance in board and course review.
A bound-in CD-ROM contains clinical notes and clinical problem-solving exercises consisting of case histories followed by multiple-choice questions and answers with rationales.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Laura E. Thorp, BS, MPT, PhD(Rush Medical College of Rush University)
Description:The organization of this anatomy book into body systems makes it slightly repetitive, but this approach may be beneficial for learning, particularly for students who are new to the study of anatomy. The book favors illustrations and tables over text and the clinical correlates on the CD are unique in the depth of material covered and the breadth of topics. The chapters pertaining to joint structure and function of the limbs, particularly skeletal muscle actions, are simplified to the point that it is likely adequate for physicians but not for other specialties, such as physical therapy. Overall, this book is most certainly useful for those looking to provide a clinically-based gross anatomy course in a medical school setting.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide an anatomy book that focuses in depth on areas that are relevant to clinical practice with a more cursory review of other topics. Medical students are required to learn an overwhelming amount of information and they will best remember what they feel is applicable to their careers as physicians. The author met his objectives and demonstrates how important and relevant the study of anatomy is to clinical practice.
Audience:This book is best suited for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians.
Features:The book covers the entire human body organized in a systemic approach. The clinical correlates on the CD are particularly well done. The inclusion of surface anatomy is also an important clinical feature of this book. Figures detailing the directional pull of muscles on bones and the origin and insertion points of the muscles on bones are very useful for student comprehension of muscle actions. The explanation of scapulohumeral rhythm is a welcome inclusion. Also, the review of the importance of understanding lymphatics provides motivation to students to study a topic that they often overlook. The multitude of radiographs and images are a wonderful addition. The short summaries of embryology organized by system are also ideal, though not unique to this book. The main shortcoming is that at times the book seems too oversimplified, particularly in the detail on muscle actions and, specifically, the explanation of movements of the scapula. Abduction/adduction and upward/downward rotation of the scapula are not mentioned, nor are the muscles that cause these movements. The clinical correlate on the sacroiliac joint is lacking because it states that the SI joint is not "clinically available." Indeed clinicians can palpate and manipulate this joint readily. Certain illustrations can be daunting in their detail, particularly figures of the hand that include muscle attachments along with names of bones and bony prominences. The figures of the skull (11-7, 11-8) are a little too dark and more contrast might highlight the landmarks and foramina better.
Assessment:This book has reduced the amount of text, and therefore reading required by a student, in favor of highlighting clinically relevant material and presenting information in the form of illustrations and tables. Such a format will likely suit the majority of medical students well. This book provides excellent clinical correlates, but they are all found on a CD rather than interspersed throughout the book (such as is done by Moore and Daly, Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 5th edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006)). The book refers to the clinical correlates, but the challenge is to get the students to use the CD in their studies.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Laura E. Thorp, BS, MPT, PhD(Rush Medical College of Rush University)Description: The organization of this anatomy book into body systems makes it slightly repetitive, but this approach may be beneficial for learning, particularly for students who are new to the study of anatomy. The book favors illustrations and tables over text and the clinical correlates on the CD are unique in the depth of material covered and the breadth of topics. The chapters pertaining to joint structure and function of the limbs, particularly skeletal muscle actions, are simplified to the point that it is likely adequate for physicians but not for other specialties, such as physical therapy. Overall, this book is most certainly useful for those looking to provide a clinically-based gross anatomy course in a medical school setting.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide an anatomy book that focuses in depth on areas that are relevant to clinical practice with a more cursory review of other topics. Medical students are required to learn an overwhelming amount of information and they will best remember what they feel is applicable to their careers as physicians. The author met his objectives and demonstrates how important and relevant the study of anatomy is to clinical practice.
Audience: "This book is best suited for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians. "
Features: The book covers the entire human body organized in a systemic approach. The clinical correlates on the CD are particularly well done. The inclusion of surface anatomy is also an important clinical feature of this book. Figures detailing the directional pull of muscles on bones and the origin and insertion points of the muscles on bones are very useful for student comprehension of muscle actions. The explanation of scapulohumeral rhythm is a welcome inclusion. Also, the review of the importance of understanding lymphatics provides motivation to students to study a topic that they often overlook. The multitude of radiographs and images are a wonderful addition. The short summaries of embryology organized by system are also ideal, though not unique to this book. The main shortcoming is that at times the book seems too oversimplified, particularly in the detail on muscle actions and, specifically, the explanation of movements of the scapula. Abduction/adduction and upward/downward rotation of the scapula are not mentioned, nor are the muscles that cause these movements. The clinical correlate on the sacroiliac joint is lacking because it states that the SI joint is not "clinically available." Indeed clinicians can palpate and manipulate this joint readily. Certain illustrations can be daunting in their detail, particularly figures of the hand that include muscle attachments along with names of bones and bony prominences. The figures of the skull (11-7, 11-8) are a little too dark and more contrast might highlight the landmarks and foramina better.
Assessment: This book has reduced the amount of text, and therefore reading required by a student, in favor of highlighting clinically relevant material and presenting information in the form of illustrations and tables. Such a format will likely suit the majority of medical students well. This book provides excellent clinical correlates, but they are all found on a CD rather than interspersed throughout the book (such as is done by Moore and Daly, Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 5th edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006)). The book refers to the clinical correlates, but the challenge is to get the students to use the CD in their studies.