Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy, 5th Revised Edition

Author: Wolfgang Dauber, M.D.

Publisher: Thieme Medical Publishers, 2007

2007; 548 pp. 907 illustrations; softcover, $39.95

I received my first copy of the Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy as a new graduate student at Indiana University. It was a gift and quickly became one of my favorite reference books for gross anatomy. I found it to be a constant companion as I pursued my studies and began to assist in the anatomy lab. The book was easy to carry around, but, more importantly, the information was quickly accessed and accurate. Then came the computer generation and the explosion of a plethora of computer-assisted tools for a ready, quick access to even more information.

The 5th Revised Edition of the Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy has come to announce that this excellent reference is still around and will be available to another generation of those who need quick access to information. It requires no batteries or internet connection and is still the same practical size so it can be slipped into the pocket. This book is not intended for the beginning student and should not be confused with the traditional textbooks in anatomy. It is intended for those who have been through the texts and laboratories and need to have a companion for quick reference. From students on their core rotations to residents and fellows, this book should be a tremendous value for the “anatomist” on the go.

This new edition has several improvements that are revealed as soon as you open the cover with the “At A Glance” page. Much new information has been added from recent publications in the literature, especially in the urogenital and central nervous systems. The General Terminology section at the beginning of the book is an excellent reference point to begin. Students may be less likely to spend much time reviewing the Latin terminology.  However, it will be a valuable tool to those who value word origins and use this as a means to understand structures.

After receiving my first edition, I bought subsequent editions and have given them to numerous students pursuing surgical residencies. With the appearance of this 5th edition, I will continue to do so.

Reviewer: James M. Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center

Review Date: June 2007