Atlas of Anatomy

Abstract

What factors should we consider when we are thinking of acquiring an atlas of anatomy? Those looking for an atlas that includes surface anatomy, sectional anatomy, and essential radiographic anatomy (including simple Rx, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance images, but also coronary angiographies), accompanied by brief “clinical boxes” in each chapter (some with endoscopic images), along with the possibility of online tests (www.winkingskull.com), will find all of these resources in this third edition of Thieme’s Atlas of Anatomy.1 A detailed subsection of neurovasculature, which may be of special interest for anesthetists, is included for each topographical anatomical chapter. This edition of Thieme’s Anatomy is a single volume of 760 pages, based on the illustrations of the Prometheus Atlas of Anatomy (3 volumes).2 A few authors have prepared a full-body photographic atlas (560 pages).3 Those interested in peripheral nerve blocks also might consult a specific photographic atlas of the locomotor system (422 pages).4 Only one of the other classical atlases based on illustrations5 is now presented in a smaller volume of 640 pages, because clinical “bonus plates” and anatomical variations are available online through the “student consult” tool, whereas “clinical anatomy” and “radiologic anatomy” are presented in separate volumes. The “clinical boxes” in the revised version of Thieme’s Anatomy are a pleasant surprise when exploring the different chapters. Indexation, however, in future editions would make them easier to locate. A few very common pathologies that require good anatomical knowledge (eg, tendinitis of the rotator cuff of the shoulder) could be added, the basic information on others (eg, carpal tunnel syndrome) could be slightly extended, and the identification of some structures in sectional anatomy could be improved (eg, the esophagus versus azygos vein in thoracic magnetic resonance imaging planes). Readers seeking more details about clinical anatomy can consult the larger single-volume editions of 818,6 888,7 or 11928 pages (which include basic embryology)8 with the online student consult tool for illustrations and quizzes6,8 or books like Clinically Oriented Anatomy,9 with specific references to regional anesthesia, including vascular approaches. As for the comprehension of the Thieme’s Atlas of Anatomy, the extreme simplicity of the neuroanatomy chapter is somewhat disappointing. The choice of illustrations with confusing anatomical variations in the cortical gyri (interrupted gyrus cinguli or duplications of the middle temporal gyrus), the absence of Brodmann’s areas, the use of a single nonrepresentative basal axial plane in the sectional neuroanatomy, or the use of a single T2-weighted axial plane (although T1 is better for appreciating anatomical details) in radiographic neuroanatomy could all be improved in future editions for medical students. It is likely that future correlation of anatomical photos or illustrations of sections with adjacent magnetic resonance images10 would enhance understanding. Nonetheless, anesthetists will find sufficient information on the most complex structures of interest to them, such as the infratemporal or pterygopalatine fossa, or the innervation of the orbit (including ethmoidal nerves, long and short ciliary nerves, and so on). Thieme’s Anatomy, 3rd edition, is available in English for the moment, but previous editions are available in other languages, as in the case of the referred atlases2,4,7–10 (some of them in more than 15 languages).3,5,6 Altogether, this single-volume Thieme’s Atlas of Anatomy may be a good choice for those who are interested in a pragmatic, simplified atlas of anatomy. Those looking for more detailed approaches to clinical anatomy will need to consult other resources. Anna Puigdellívol-Sánchez, MD, PhDHuman Anatomy and Embryology UnitDepartment of Surgery and Medico-surgicalSpecializationsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain[email protected] Miguel A. Reina, MD, PhDDepartment of AnesthesiologyMadrid-Montepríncipe University Hospitaland School of MedicineCEU San Pablo UniversityMadrid, Spain Alberto Prats-Galino, MD, PhDHuman Anatomy and Embryology UnitDepartment of Surgery and Medico-SurgicalSpecializationsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain