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Wolf-Heidegger’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vols. 1 and 2, 6^th ed.

University of Mississippi, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216 601-984-6115 phone; 601-984-6120 fax; rjohnson{at}sod.umsmed.edu.

The newest version of this atlas offers numerous additions to previous editions. In particular, it significantly improves and expands the materials most often used in a gross anatomy course for dental students. The atlas begins appropriately with an "homage to those who bequeathed their bodies to science." Our gross anatomy course begins and concludes with recognition of the anatomical donors, and I am always impressed with authors who encourage expression of this gratitude in their textbooks.

Most of the high-quality color figures in the atlas are drawings, which, in my opinion, offer the most effective teaching tool for the novice student, because the anatomical structures are usually more clearly demarcated in drawings than in photographs of dissections. The contrasting colors chosen for the anatomical figures simplify the discernment of the internal anatomical structures. The anatomical figures are uncluttered and contain only the essential labeling. The terminology in this edition is based on Terminologia Anatomica, often with various synonyms, which are also cross-referenced to the preferred term. This feature is extremely important for the dental student, who is often required to assimilate numerous terms (both clinical and anatomical) for a single anatomical feature.

Both volumes have an extensive table of contents and subject index, but do not have extensive descriptive text. Thus, an appropriate gross anatomy textbook is required as a companion volume for students.

Volume 2 contains chapters describing the head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and central nervous system anatomy. In addition, the eye and ear structures are extensively described. Both volumes contain numerous parasagittal, paracoronal, and cross-sectional figures, which are often matched to X-ray plates and radiological images (ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI). Taken together, these matches serve as an excellent tool for teaching radiographic interpretation. Both volumes of the atlas also contain numerous illustrations of the surface anatomy of each region of the body.

In addition, Volume 2 contains numerous head and neck anatomical clinical correlations, which are of considerable interest to the dental student. Skull and facial fractures and stress planes within the skull are clearly described and illustrated. Individual tooth anatomy and the relationship of roots to the maxillary sinus and the inferior alveolar nerve are extensively described. This volume also contains excellent illustrations of the effects of peripheral nerve damage, which is very useful for understanding nerve components and the clinical presentation of peripheral nerve injuries. There are excellent illustrations of cranial parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves and their innervation of the salivary glands, which are often difficult concepts for students to master. This volume presents contrast radiographs of the large arteries of the neck with accompanying descriptive interpretive diagrams. There are numerous figures illustrating surface features of the body (and underlying structures, such as cartilages of the nose), which allow students to appreciate the relationships between surface features and underlying structures.

Volume 2 also contains a thorough osteology section (with color-coded bones), a high-quality diagram of cranial nerves and their functional components, and excellent figures describing the position of the paranasal sinuses within the head and neck, which is often difficult for the novice student to appreciate. This volume also contains figures describing the continuity of neck and thorax and neck and upper arm, which are not usually presented in an anatomical atlas, and thus provides an introduction to an important concept for the dental student.

While Volumes 1 and 2 of this atlas would be valuable for the medical student, only Volume 2 should be required by the dental student. This volume in particular would be a valuable textbook for use in an undergraduate dental gross anatomy course and would be an extremely worthwhile addition to the library of anyone teaching gross anatomy to either medical or dental students. The atlas also contains sufficient detail for use in postgraduate dental gross anatomy courses and would be very useful for oral surgery graduate students. If this atlas is not a required textbook for student use during the gross anatomy course, it would serve as an extremely valuable supplemental reference book for students as they attempt to master this important, and often complex, basic science course.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Johnson, R. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Johnson, R. B.