Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 27th ed. Thomas Lathrop Stedman. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal diseases; skin, vascular, and oral lesions; allergic reactions; and neoplasias. Additionally, a 32-page quick-reference anatomical atlas showcases art from http://www.adam.com. A complete index containing the names of each structure accompanies these clearly labeled illustrations. In addition to the figures, numerous tables present complex information in schematic format. Readers will note extensive updating in all specialties, but especially in the terminology relating to oncology, pediatrics, pulmonology, emergency medicine, bacteriology, and laboratory medicine. Additionally, this new edition adds terminology concentrated in the rapidly developing areas of biotechnology, biochemistry, genetics, embryology, epidemiology, radiology, neurology, and veterinary medicine. This dictionary has many helpful features in the appendices. A table of common medical abbreviations presents itself to the reader for quick reference. Three tables follow presenting concise information regarding each of the human arteries, muscles, and nerves within the body. These tables include the origin, course, insertion, innervation, or action for each of the aforementioned structures, which is of particular interest for the student. Following these tables are appendices, including Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs), blood groups, laboratory values, temperature scales, weights and measures, elements, symbols, and more. The inside cover details the many features contained within the definitions, making the layout easy to read. However, much of the dictionary remains unchanged from the 26th Edition. Certainly, Stedman's Dictionary contains much terminology relating to optometry and vision science. A perusal of the book for ophthalmic terms reveals, for example, amblyopia, myopia, hyperopia, keratitis, conjunctivitis, and keratoconus. Although much ophthalmic terminology was reflected in the dictionary, I often found it to be simplified and somewhat cumbersome to locate among the vast medical terminology. For those searching for a thorough and easy to use reference on ophthalmic terminology and visual science, Stedman's Medical Dictionary would not be among the first recommended. Nonetheless, this is an excellent medical reference book and I would strongly recommend the text for the student, clinician, and researcher alike. In fact, I continue to keep the book perched on my desktop today.
Jason J. Nichols (Thu,) studied this question.