Bu-ok Reviews
291
Commendably, many of the usual drawbacks associated with publications of conference proceedings have been avoided; there is a general consistency of approach with little overlap between different contributions. There are gaps, particularly in the brief consideration of the role of granulocytes, and reading is heavy going, mainly because of the condensed nature of the papers and the excessive use of abbreviations. However, by bringing together a wide spectrum of related work, the book will prove useful to anyone interested in cellular defence mechanisms. CG. HUDSON
Benninghoff, Alfred. Makroskopische und mikroskopische Anatomie des Menschen. Vol. 3. 13/14th edition. Edited by W. ZENKER. (Pp. 622; many figures; DM.85.) Munchen: Urban & Schwarzenberg. 1986.
This volume contains a description of the nervous system, skin and special sense organs. Again, as in Volumes 1 and 2, a number of authors took part in the preparation of the text. However in Volume 3 the Editor was also the author of many chapters, and therefore the text is much more uniform than in the other volumes. The description is enhanced by the careful use of clinical phenomena, such as the segmental involvement in herpes zoster. The importance of the degeneration and regeneration of nerves in the peripheral nervous system is also well described, but it is a pity to illustrate this part with diagrams from studies undertaken more than 50 years ago (when there are a number of impressive illustrations in modern papers available). Speaking of the use of historical material, is there really still a place for comment on and a colour illustration of the study of phrenology in a modern textbook? The description and illustrations (with some superb light and transmission micrographs) of the CNS follow a standard path. However the cross section of the brain stem would make for easier interpretation if only one half of each section were a photograph and the other half a clear line diagram with leader lines. The description of the cranial nerves is adequate but a little uneven. Reference is made to the rare variation in the distribution of the inferior alveolar nerve (p. 446), but no mention is made of the common variation (including an 18 % absence) of the middle superior alveolar nerve (FitzGerald, M. J. T., J. Anat. 90, 520, 1956). However, the up-to-date reference to sensory components travelling with the hypoglossal nerve is indeed welcome. This volume is supposed also to deal with skin and special sense organs. However, although there is an extensive section on the eye and ear, the skin, the olfactory and gustatory systems are only given superficial treatment. As in the previous two volumes, embryology is woven into the fabric of each section. The reviewer feels that one exposure to embryology - at the beginning of Volume 1 (and reference thereto throughout the text) would be advantageous. The volume is reasonably priced by UK standards and has considerable merit. Many students even with a limited knowledge of German will find some parts helpful. For those with a good knowledge of German, this volume is valuable, if at times a little antiquated. RUDOLPH SPRINZ
The Johns Hopkins Atlas ofHuman FunctionalAnatomy. Illustrated by L. Schlossberg. Text edited by G. D. Zuidema. 3rd edition. (Pp. 125; 63 plates; £20.35 hardback, £11.05 paperback.) Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press. 1986. This atlas, designed for those involved in general health care, provides a clinically orientated introduction to basic topographical anatomy. Translated into nine languages, 140000 copies have been sold in the past nine years, evidence of its wide appeal and a tribute to the illustrator's skill. Additional illustrations of surgical anatomy of the abdomen are included in this latest edition. Annotation of illustrations, generally good, is sometimes too profuse and cramped: in Plate 37 all the arteries and veins of the body are included in one figure. A similar diagram of peripheral nerves (Plate 19) is too pale. Nomenclature does not always conform to the Nomina Anatomica.
