Maria A. Patestas and Leslie P. Gartner A Textbook of Neuroanatomy Blackwell Publishing Ltd. , Oxford , 2006 . 454 Pages. Price US$ 84.95 . ISBN 1-4051-0340-X This textbook of neuroanatomy is aimed at students requiring neuroanatomy in their course. It covers all aspects of neuroanatomy and is organized in 23 chapters. The first nine chapters are more general, covering aspects related to the development, general topography, physiology and blood supply of the nervous system. The remaining chapters address more complex systems that require knowledge, synthesis and analysis of the fundamentals presented in the first part. A list of key items is shown at the beginning of each chapter. A clinical case that is relevant to the material to be covered in the text is also outlined at the beginning of the chapter. The clinical case is discussed at the end of each chapter, by applying and analysing the material from each chapter. The new terminology and key facts are highlighted in the text. Each chapter is further subdivided into sections that have summarizing statements clearly displayed. Tables with detailed and clear information accompany the text. The illustrations are diagrammatic representations of topographical anatomy as well as of the functional connections in the central nervous system. Each chapter has a group of self-assessment questions at the end. An innovative feature is the section of synonyms and eponyms that accompanies each chapter. The first chapter of the book covers the basic histology and the morphological and functional organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Chapter 2 is introduced by a clinical scenario of a spina bifida case. The text, tables and illustrations are representative for the processes of neurulation and development of the brain and spinal cord. The cells of the nervous system and their functions are covered in Chapter 3. The generation and conduction of nerve impulses are explained in a series of clear diagrammatic representations. A multiple sclerosis clinical case is used to explain the pathology of demyelination. Other clinical applications such as Tay-Sachs disease and neuroglial tumours are presented at the end of the chapter. The classification, functions and clinical considerations of neurotransmitters are presented in Chapter 4. The accompanying clinical case is of Parkinson's disease; other clinical considerations are summarized at the end. The morphology and blood supply of the spinal cord as well as of the spinal nerves and their dermatomes are explained in Chapter 5, around a clinical case of acute myelopathy. The gross anatomy to the brain with emphasis on the topographical arrangement of its major structures is introduced in Chapter 6, using a case of head injury. The anatomical arrangement of the meninges, their role in the formation of the venous sinuses as well as the basic physiology of cerebrospinal fluid are explained in Chapter 7. A clinical case of stroke introduces the eighth chapter that is devoted to the arterial supply and venous drainage of the brain. The topographic distribution of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is discussed around a case of autonomic dysfunction, in Chapter 9. The ascending sensory pathways (Chapter 10) introduce the second part of the book – integrative components of the nervous system. A comprehensive clinical section presents the neuroanatomical concepts behind clinical aspects such as spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries, Brown–Séquard syndrome and referred pain. The motor cortex and descending motor pathways (pyramidal and extrapyramidal) are discussed in Chapter 11. The basal ganglia, their neural connections and their role in modulating motor activity are covered in Chapter 12, along with a discussion about dyskinesias. The information regarding motor control continues in Chapter 13 with the structure, function and connections of the cerebellum. The role of the reticular formation in maintaining consciousness is discussed in Chapter 14 around a case of cerebral herniation. The detailed origin, course and clinical testing of the cranial nerves are explained in Chapter 15. The complex visual system is discussed in Chapter 16 by analysing firstly the structure of the eye and secondly the visual pathways and their associated reflexes. The anatomy of the ear, the auditory and vestibular transmission as well as the central auditory and vestibular pathways are discussed around clinical cases of acoustic neuroma and benign postural vertigo in Chapters 17 and 18. Injury to the olfactory nerves in a case of head traumaforms the basis of Chapter 19 that is centred around the arrangement of the olfactory system. The components of the limbic system together with its pathways are analysed in Chapter 20, along with clinical considerations such as Alzheimer's Disease and Korsakoff's syndrome. The nuclei, connections and pathways of the diencephalon are covered in Chapters 21 and 22. The roles of the hypothalamus in temperature control, food and water intake, autonomic regulation, endocrine control and aggression are covered systematically. The signs and symptoms resulting from the damage to various nuclei of the hypothalamus are explained clearly. The boundaries and structure of the thalamus are discussed with referral to sensory pathways. The thalamic pain syndrome (Déjérine–Roussy syndrome) is analysed and its symptoms are explained. The histology of the cerebral cortex as well as its functional areas is described in the final chapter of the book. The types of cells of the cerebral cortex as well as their topographical arrangement are described in the first part of the chapter. The afferent input to the cerebral cortex and the various types of efferent fibres are presented with the aid of clear diagrammatic representations of transverse and longitudinal sections through the cerebrum. A description of the internal capsule and its organization is provided. The description of the functional areas of the cortex includes the primary and secondary motor and sensory areas as well as the association areas. An explanation is provided for the signs and symptoms of lesions to the internal capsule, corpus callosum and motor and sensory areas. This textbook is suitable mainly for medical graduates in neurological, neuropathological or neurosurgical specialties and for neuroscience undergraduates and postgraduates. Its functional aspects as well as clinical applications would be useful for psychiatrists. For medical students it would be useful as a reference book. The price of $84.95 is rather high compared with the cost of other textbooks that range from $36.95 –Neuroanatomy by James D. Fix and James D. Fix, to $45.95 –Neuroanatomy: A Programmed Text by Richard L. Sidman and $59.95 –Functional Neuroanatomy, 2nd Edition (Lange Basic Science), by Adel K. Afifi and Ronald A. Bergman. However, these books lack aspects such as synonyms and eponyms or the variety of clinical applications. The Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, by Hal Blumenfeld, priced at $64.55 does have the clinical considerations explained and discussed, but does not contain the detailed neuroanatomical pathways and connections. In summary, this is a very well-illustrated textbook that covers all aspects of neuroanatomy and analyses the structure of the nervous system components in relation to their function as well as their clinical significance. As the authors were hoping, it is suitable primarily for medical postgraduates, but also for medical students.
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Roxana O. Carare (2007) studied this question.