Radiological images have become a common resource for anatomy teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum. They provide clinical relevance to a traditional subject and most students welcome this link between theory and practice.
This book is a condensed, simplified version of ‘Applied Radiological Anatomy’, a more comprehensive publication aimed at radiology trainees. This version opens with comprehensive chapters on radiological technique and image interpretation. The contents are then divided into anatomical regions and include the unusual addition of obstetric and paediatric chapters, factors that may give this book the edge on similar texts. In addition, the chapters covering the head and neck would be entirely suitable for the undergraduate dental student.
The word content assumes some prior knowledge of anatomical terminology and would suit more senior clinical students. It is broken up with hundreds of relevant images, mostly black and white, displaying the broad range of imaging techniques and limitations. Although numerous, some of these images are quite small and have varying degrees of labelling which limits their usefulness. I also found it rather confusing to find the heart in a chapter titled ‘chest wall and ribs’ and was disappointed by the paucity of illustrations regarding this important structure.
The editors describe this book as a ‘definitive atlas of human anatomy, utilizing the complete range of imaging modalities to describe normal anatomy and radiological findings’. Many of the images have labelled line illustrations that considerably aid understanding without distortion of the original image. Disappointingly, however, this feature is not consistent throughout the book. Owing to the variations in the labelling of pictures I have to disagree with the statement that this is a ‘definitive atlas’.
In conjunction with a traditional anatomy book, this text may enhance the student's understanding of human anatomy and provide an introduction to radiological interpretation. I do not think that it will appeal to the majority of students owing to its high price tag and because it does not offer the companion CD or weblink many students now seek for speedy referencing. It would, however, be particularly useful for students undertaking special study modules in radiology or for those seeking a career within the field and wishing to broaden their existing knowledge.