The Anatomy of the Horse: An Illustrated Text is the 2nd volume in a series of 3 that will describe the anatomy of major domestic mammals. The authors' aim is to succinctly illustrate the clinically relevant details of equine anatomy. The book has been designed for veterinary students and equine practitioners, but it should also serve veterinary anatomists and surgeons.
This edition is somewhat longer (152 pages) than the previous edition, but it maintains the same structure. It is divided into 3 parts. In the first part, 80 pages of opposing text and color plates, the anatomy of various regions is described, using a topographic approach. The second part comprises 20 pages of tables that summarize details such as attachment, nerve supply, and function of muscles; position and field of drainage of lymph nodes; and the origins and distribution of peripheral nerves. This information is keyed to the color plates of part one. The last 25 pages deal with clinical problems involving the structures described in the first sections.
The topographical anatomy section is divided into the following regions: thoracic limb; pelvic limb; head; central nervous system; axial skeleton and neck; thoracic cavity; abdominal wall and cavity; and pelvis, inguinal region and urogenital organs. The hoof is described in minute detail with illustrations that aid one in comprehending its complex organization. Synovial structures (joints, bursa, and sheaths) of both the thoracic and pelvic limbs are clearly illustrated, their topographic limits are also mentioned in the text. This information, often limited in anatomy texts, is clinically pertinent to the practitioner, since traumatic or septic involvement of these structures will have an important impact on prognosis. A criticism I have is that the color plates are annotated with numbers referring to the same structures depicted on other plates; these can lead to confusion as the reader is forced to change pages frequently to obtain complete information about the structures under investigation.
Information in the second part is presented in tabular form, allowing numerous details to be concisely listed; the section on cranial nerves is especially thorough. This second part will allow rapid consultation by the busy student and veterinarian alike.
The authors are to be commended for addressing clinical problems relating to structures described in the first 2 parts of the book. Too often, the importance of anatomy to veterinary practice is overlooked in classical anatomy texts. This third section will encourage veterinary students to apply their newfound anatomic knowledge to clinical situations where medical imagery and surgery predominate, and thus helping them to retain pertinent information.
Previous editions of this book have become classical reference texts as a result of the quantity and quality of their illustrations. Although the detail of the latter is occasionally overwhelming, the text summarizes and facilitates comprehension. This 3rd edition should aid horse owners and veterinary students, practitioners and surgeons, as well as academic anatomists to obtain knowledge of equine structures in a convenient way.