ADAM Student Atlas of Anatomy

Amazon.com Exclusive: A Letter from the Authors

While our knowledge of human anatomy has changed relatively little in the past 100 years, its place in the training of all health science professionals has changed profoundly. Anatomists have successfully responded to the challenges created by this reduction in curricular time by both reducing the body of knowledge covered in their courses and by sifting the body of anatomical knowledge to winnow out the specialist details from essentials that are basic to the clinical education of every health sciences and medical student.

We created the ADAM Student Atlas as a visual guide to these basic parts of the body. The new second edition of the ADAM Student Atlas has been completely revised to include a simplified labeling system, more images of fewer structures and, in particular, more images of those parts of the body that present the beginning student with the greatest difficulties. Another innovation, in keeping with our student orientation, is the extensive incorporation of a systemically arranged comprehensive anatomy section at the beginning of each regional chapter. We believe this systemic emphasis makes the atlas an ideal resource of allied health students who are taking systems based anatomy courses. Finally, given the importance of surface anatomy, we begin each chapter with surface anatomy and conclude with the traditional sequences of superficial-to-deep images that students will see when dissecting. Our knowledge of human anatomy and our combined years of teaching experience enabled us to create the new edition of this one-of-a-kind learning tool for anyone needing to master basic anatomy for the first time. We hope you find it to be an essential part of your learning.
--Todd R. Olson, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York and Wojciech Pawlina, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota

A Look Inside A.D.A.M Student Atlas (CLICK on Images to Enlarge)

Instead of relying solely on illustrations (as the venerable "Gray's Anatomy" does), this atlas also employs superb photographs from cadavers and selected radiographs. But let's go back to the illustrations. These detailed, finely rendered color illustrations set this atlas apart. Pairing these with the photographs allows one to clearly see structures, tissues, and organs.

A brief but thorough user's guide clearly explains how to effectively use this atlas. Armed with an understanding of how of how the images are labeled, what nomenclature is used, and which abbreviations have been appropriated, even a lay person can set off to explore the inner structures of the human body.

Note that, as the preface states, this test "is foremost a visual guide and interactive learning resource to be used in conjunction with a clinical anatomy book." Hence, one must not expect this book to explain the role and function of the body's various systems and structures.


Human interior designywhat is digastric?   July 7, 2001
 49 out of 53 found this review helpful

Research is one of the most important elements of great writing. Verifiable details not only carry the story forward, but also teach and allow the readers to trust the writer, so they are able to suspend disbelief. Unfortunately, the reviews of this book are dry and do not show the potential of completely describing the anatomical structure of the human body.

Is there a doctor or nurse in your story?

The renderings of cadavers show the entire system of nerves, muscles, tendons, veins, arteries, etc. Therefore, if your character is hiking, falls, and breaks a bone you can be very specific about the break and how it affects the surrounding tissue. Was the bone an ulna or a fibula? The first is a broken arm, and it is possible that both major bones (second is radius) are broken. If repelling down a cliff wall in order to get away from a pack of wolves is part of the story, how will s/he do it? What muscles and tendons are affected by the break? The second is a leg bone between the knee and ankle; if this and the femur are broken, do the bones protrude through the skin? Can s/he stand, walk, or crawl?

What I specifically like about this book is the ability to describe the details surrounding any body part because I can see it. The diagrams are clearly labeled in each of the sections, which are the Trunk --Body Wall and Spine, Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis and Perineum, Lower Limb, Upper Limb, Head and Neck, and Cranial and Autonomic Nerves.

Remember, if the digastric is inflamed, the culprit could be a rusty nail that caused lockjaw because there is no vaccine available. For my research, this is book is five stars.

Victoria Tarrani


excellent resource   May 12, 2000
 8 out of 12 found this review helpful

This book combines renderings, cadaver photos, x-rays to make a complete view of the human anatomy. A must have.