The author states that “The objective of this atlas is to provide the clinician with the anatomical basis required for the main steps in the clinical examination of locomotor problems in horses, including:
To this end, the author has produced an exhaustive atlas paying meticulous attention to detail. I feel that the author has lived up to his intended objectives. However, in an attempt to do so, he has included an enormous amount of information in atlas form. This overwhelming amount of information creates problems in and of itself. There is a very real problem in the organization of the information.
This atlas is essentially organized into 3 chapters with 4 sections per chapter. For a clinician, the first section of each chapter is the most useful. These sections illustrate gross anatomical dissections, whereas the following 3 sections of each chapter specifically isolate sagittal, parasagittatal, transverse, and frontal sections, which are more complicated and generally of less clinical relevance. The shear volume of information makes searching and retrieving specific areas of interest cumbersome.
The author uses a variety of diagnostic modalities to illustrate the normal anatomy of the equine distal limb. I find this a welcome addition to an atlas of anatomy. To supplement the standard anatomical dissections in which the classical approach of multiple colored latex injected cadavers (arterial, venous, synovial cavities, and joint cavities) are used. The author has added plain radiography, contrast radiography (venography, arteriography, arthrography, bursography, and tendinography), MRI scans, and ultrasonography to enhance and augment the imagery. However, one must keep in mind that this is an atlas of anatomy and not a comprehensive atlas on radiography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
In summary, I compliment the author for a wonderful and unique contribution to equine medicine. This atlas contains high quality images and, as stated earlier, numerous views of the same area. These additional views other than the standard dissections provide information that will assist the astute clinician in making precise evaluations and interpretations of clinical observations. This atlas will be a very useful tool for those who are at that level.