Human Cross-Sectional Anatomy

From The Critics

Reviewer: Frederick L. Hoff, MD(Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This is a small, readily portable atlas of anatomy that includes 90 cross-sectional levels through the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities. Each cross-sectional level is displayed on two facing pages and contains a reference diagram indicating the site location, a photograph of a cadaveric section, a CT image at an equivalent level, a line drawing corresponding to the CT image, and a list of structures identified on the images.
Purpose: This atlas is intended primarily as a reference to aid in the interpretation of cross-sectional imaging modalities such as CT and MRI, especially for the inexperienced. Virtually no one would read this from cover to cover.
Audience: The intended primary audience is radiology residents. Medical students and residents in other specialties may be a more appropriate target audience. Practicing radiologists would require a reference such as this only rarely; a larger, more complete atlas would be appropriate for this group.
Features: The logical design makes it very easy to use after only a few minutes. The large color photographs of cadaveric sections and line drawings are very well done; unfortunately, the CT images are poorly photographed, too small, and often obtained without the use of intravenous contrast material.
Assessment: The concept and design of this book are excellent. Unfortunately, the only significant flaw in its execution is so major that it severely limits the usefulness of the text. This defect is the poor quality and small size of the CT images. Major structures are adequately depicted so that medical students and neophyte residents might gain something from this book; however, as one's knowledge increases, frustration over the poor visualization of smaller structures will dominate. The book's low cost and excellent design makes it an excellent starting point for medical students, even in their first year.

Frederick L. Hoff

This is a small, readily portable atlas of anatomy that includes 90 cross-sectional levels through the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities. Each cross-sectional level is displayed on two facing pages and contains a reference diagram indicating the site location, a photograph of a cadaveric section, a CT image at an equivalent level, a line drawing corresponding to the CT image, and a list of structures identified on the images. This atlas is intended primarily as a reference to aid in the interpretation of cross-sectional imaging modalities such as CT and MRI, especially for the inexperienced. Virtually no one would read this from cover to cover. The intended primary audience is radiology residents. Medical students and residents in other specialties may be a more appropriate target audience. Practicing radiologists would require a reference such as this only rarely; a larger, more complete atlas would be appropriate for this group. The logical design makes it very easy to use after only a few minutes. The large color photographs of cadaveric sections and line drawings are very well done; unfortunately, the CT images are poorly photographed, too small, and often obtained without the use of intravenous contrast material. The concept and design of this book are excellent. Unfortunately, the only significant flaw in its execution is so major that it severely limits the usefulness of the text. This defect is the poor quality and small size of the CT images. Major structures are adequately depicted so that medical students and neophyte residents might gain something from this book; however, as one's knowledge increases, frustration over the poor visualization of smaller structureswill dominate. The book's low cost and excellent design makes it an excellent starting point for medical students, even in their first year.

Booknews

Provides a portable (9x6.5") guide to the whole body in section form, for medical students, radiologists, neurologists, surgeons, and internal medicine specialists. Matches full-color body sections with corresponding computed tomography (CT) scans and explanatory diagrams. Includes notes on the importance of cross-sectional anatomy, the preservation of cadavers, the sectioning process, and CT technology. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

2 Stars from Doody