Feature Summary

Each of the 22 chapters of this text incorporates numerous pedagogical devices that organize and underscore the practicality of the material, clarify important concepts, help assess student learning, and stimulate students' natural curiosity about the human body. In short, these aids make the study of human anatomy more effective and enjoyable.

Chapter Introductions
The beginning page of each chapter contains an outline of the chapter contents and a Clinical Case Study pertaining to the subject matter of the chapter. Each case study is elucidated with a related photograph. These hypothetical situations underscore the clinical relevance of anatomical knowledge and entice students to watch for information contained within the chapter that may be needed to answer the case study questions. The solution to the case study is presented at the end of the chapter, following the last major section.

Understanding Anatomical Terminology
Each technical term is set off in boldface or italic type, and is often followed by a phonetic pronunciation in parentheses, at the point where it first appears and is defined in the narrative. The roots of each term can be identified by referring to the glossary of prefixes and suffixes found on the inside of the front cover. In addition, the derivations of many terms are provided in footnotes at the bottom of the page on which the term is introduced. If students know how a term was derived, and if they can pronounce the term correctly, it becomes more meaningful and is easier to remember.

Chapter Sections
Each chapter is divided into several major sections, each of which is prefaced by a concept statement and a list of learning objectives. A concept statement is a succinct expression of the main idea, or organizing principle, of the information contained in a chapter section. The learning objectives indicate the level of competency needed to understand the concept thoroughly and be able to apply it in practical situations. The narrative that follows discusses the concept in detail, with reference to the objectives. Knowledge Check questions at the end of each chapter section test student understanding of the concept and mastery of the learning objectives.

Commentaries and Clinical Information
Set off from the text narrative are short paragraphs highlighted by accompanying topic icons. This interesting information is relevant to the discussion that precedes it, but more important, it demonstrates how basic scientific knowledge is applied. The five icons represent the following topic categories:

Clinical information is indicated by a stethoscope. The information contained in these commentaries provides examples of the applied medical nature of the information featured in the topic discussion.

Aging information is indicated by an hourglass. The information contained in these commentaries is relevant to normal aging and indicates how senescence (aging) of body organs impacts body function.

Developmental information of practical importance is indicated by a human embryo. Knowledge of pertinent developmental anatomy contributes to understanding how congenital problems develop and impact body structure and function.

Homeostasis information is indicated by a gear mechanism. The information called out by this icon is relevant to the body processes that maintain a state of dynamic equilibrium. These commentaries point out that a disruption of homeostasis frequently accompanies most diseases.

Academic interest commentaries discuss topics that are relevant to human anatomy that are quite simply of factual interest. A mortarboard icon indicates these topics.

In addition to the in-text commentaries, selected developmental disorders, aging, clinical procedures, and diseases or dysfunctions of specific organ systems are described in Clinical Considerations sections that appear at the end of most chapters. Photographs of pathological conditions accompany many of these discussions.

Developmental Expositions
In each body system chapter, a discussion of prenatal development follows the presentation on gross anatomy. Each of these discussions includes exhibits and explanations of the morphogenic events involved in the development of a body system. Placement near the related text discussion ensures that the anatomical terminology needed to understand the embryonic structures has been introduced.

Clinical Practicums
These focused clinical scenarios present a patient history and supporting diagnostic image--such as a radiograph, ultrasound, or photograph followed by a series of questions. Students are challenged to evaluate the clinical findings, explain the origin of symptoms, diagnose the patient, recommend treatment, etc. Each body system chapter contains one or two Clinical Practicums, placed before the chapter summary. Detailed answers to the Clinical Practicum questions are provided in Appendix B.

Chapter Summaries
A summary, in outline form, at the end of each chapter reinforces the learning experience. These comprehensive summaries serve as a valuable tool in helping students prepare for examinations.

Review Activities
Following each chapter summary, sets of objective, essay, and critical thinking questions give students the opportunity to measure the depth of their understanding and learning. The critical thinking questions have been updated and expanded in the sixth edition to further challenge students to use the chapter information in novel ways toward the solution of practical problems. The correct responses to the objective questions are provided in Appendix A. Each answer is explained, so students can effectively use the review activities to broaden their understanding of the subject matter.

Illustrations and Tables
Because anatomy is a descriptive science, great care has been taken to continuously enhance the photographs and illustrations in Human Anatomy. A hallmark feature of the previous editions of this text has been the quality art program. In keeping with the objective of forever improving and refining the art program, over 150 full-color illustrations were substantially revised or rendered entirely new for the sixth edition. Each illustration has been checked and rechecked for conceptual clarity and precision of the artwork, labels, and captions. Color-coding is used in certain art sequences as a technique to aid learning. For example, the bones of the skull in chapter 6 are color-coded so that each bone can be readily identified in the many renderings included in the chapter. These illustrations represent a collaborative effort between author and illustrator, often involving dissection of cadavers to ensure accuracy. Illustrations are combined with photographs whenever possible to enhance visualization of anatomical structures. Light and scanning electron micrographs are used throughout the text to present a true picture of anatomy from the cellular and histological levels. Surface anatomy and cadaver dissection images help students understand the juxtaposition of anatomical structures and help convey the intangible anatomical characteristics that can be fully appreciated only when seen in a human specimen. Many of the cadaver dissection photographs have been modified or replaced with new, high-quality images shot expressly for the sixth edition. All of the figures are integrated with the text narrative to maximize student learning.

Numerous tables throughout the text summarize information and clarify complex data. Many tables have been enhanced with the addition of illustrations to communicate information in the most effective manner. Like the figures, all of the tables are referenced in the text narrative and placed as close to the reference as possible to spare students the trouble of flipping through pages.

Appendixes, Glossary, and Index
Appendixes A and B provide answers and explanations for the objective questions at the end of each chapter and for the questions that accompany the Clinical Practicum boxes. The glossary provides definitions for the important technical terms used in the text. Phonetic pronunciations are included for most of the terms, and an easy-to-use pronunciation guide appears at the beginning of the glossary. Synonyms, including eponymous terms, are indicated, and for some terms antonyms are given as well.