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Wolf-Heidegger's Atlas of Human Anatomy, 5th ed.

Petra Köpf-Maier (Ed.). S. Karger AG, 2000. Vol. I - 325 pages, Vol. II - 453 pages. $130.50 (US). ISBN 3-8055-5442-7

Calgary, Alberta

The fifth edition of Wolf-Heidegger's Atlas of Human Anatomy is presented in two volumes. The first volume contains a brief "systems" approach to human anatomy (autonomic nervous system, digestive system etc.) and a comprehensive presentation of the musculoskeletal system. The second volume provides detailed anatomy of the head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, CNS, eye and ear. The anatomy is presented as a combination of coloured and black and white drawings, photographs of autopsy specimens, and radiological images (CT and MR images, angiograms, ultrasound). The descriptive text is written in both German and English; the labels for anatomical structures are written in Latin.

The juxtaposition of appropriate radiological images with the anatomical drawings and specimen photographs is very helpful to anesthesiologists, many of whom are "occasional radiologists". The selection of radiological images has been made with the clinician in mind – for example, the renal section included all the phases of a normal renal arteriogram and the presentation of an intravenous pyelogram. The cardiac section included drawings and echocardiographic images through the imaging planes traditionally used to view the cardiac chambers and the valvular structures. The laryngeal anatomy is presented in detail, with laryngoscopic photographs of moderate quality. The anesthesiologist would appreciate some MR images of the larynx and upper airway instead of the rather fuzzy ultrasound images that are provided.

Peripheral anatomy is presented in a traditional "dissection approach" in which the structures are revealed layer-by-layer. The detail is excellent and the connection with surface anatomy approaches the quality achieved in anatomy texts specifically designed for regional anesthesia. The level of detail is greater than that usually required by the anesthesiologist.

This is an excellent atlas of human anatomy that deserves a place in any departmental library and will appeal to anesthesiologists whose practice requires a detailed understanding of anatomical structures and relationships.

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