Atlas of Anatomy 4th Edition

Book Preface

In this new fourth edition of the Atlas of Anatomy, we are proud to offer what we believe is our best effort at presenting a clear and accurate story of human anatomy. A significant part of this effort is the addition of our newest co-author, Dr. Jamie C. Wikenheiser from the University of Cali-fornia, Irvine. Jamie’s love of anatomy, attention to detail, and proud background in teaching excellence in anatomy at all student levels makes him a highly qualified addition to the editorship of the Atlas that will ensure its continued development.

As with previous editions, we have made every attempt to respond to the requests, comments, and critiques of our world-wide users. As al-ways, we recognize that anatomy is a changing science. As concepts and terminology evolve, we feel a responsibility to pass this on and keep these aspects of the Atlas updated. Thus, our initial task for this edition was to update and further clarify the material already present in the Atlas. Among these modifications was a major revision of the many au-tonomic innervation wiring schematics. These are now uniformly de-signed to clearly differentiate between sympathetic and parasympathetic components and pre-and post-ganglionic fibers. We improved many tables by reorganizing and rewording the content and enlarging labels. Sectional and radiographic chapters in each unit, established in the third edition, have been expanded with more than forty additional MR and CT images, now accompanied, as are all sectional images throughout the Atlas, by new simplified navigators.

Another focus of this edition was to provide more written and schematic- based information that addresses complex anatomic concepts. This in-cludes new schematics that complement other images, expanded legends that accompany images, and most notably, the addition of almost thirty new clinical boxes (most with illustrations) in every unit. These focus on function, pathology, anatomic variations, clinical procedures, diagnostic techniques, embryological development, and aging.

We continue to try to make difficult areas of anatomy more easily under-stood through better organization of chapter content and new diagram-matic approaches. The two-page spread that has been so popular in previous editions has been maintained in this edition, but an effort was made to improve their layouts by tabulating some content and adding more than 120 new illustrations and images. In this edition, the reader will notice major changes in two regions. In the abdomen and pelvic units, a greater focus is placed on the peritoneum, mesenteries, and peritoneal spaces. The inguinal region, a difficult area for students, is also expanded with new images and tables, as well as new and revised images of perineal structures. The head and neck unit is the second area of major revisions. In an effort to bring this material into alignment with the way it is usually encountered in the dissection lab, the chapter on the neck now precedes those on the head and includes new artwork that promotes the dissection views. Students will appreciate the reorgani-zation and additional clarifying images of areas such as the cavernous sinus, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae, and oral and nasal cavi-ties. Finally, a new expanded overview introduces the brain and nervous system chapter.

As always, we are extremely grateful for the contributions of the many colleagues and reviewers who provide important feedback on earlier editions, alert us to inaccuracies and ambiguities, and share suggestions for new material.

We recognize that our efforts, though important, are just one part of the process that brings this textbook to its final production. The entire Thieme Publishers team has encouraged and supported our efforts throughout this process. Our deep appreciation is extended to the most important contributors: Judith Tomat, Developmental Editor; Delia DeTurris, Acqui-sitions Editor, and Barbara Chernow, PhD, Production Manager, for their dedication and expertise in their respective fields and their confidence in our ability to produce a quality manuscript.

Anne M. Gilroy
Worcester, Massachusetts

Brian R. MacPherson Lexington, Kentucky
Jamie C. Wikenheiser Irvine, California
December 2019