Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine, Second Edition

have been incorporated into this edition, and a new section on prenatal diagnosis appears in the chapter on teratology. Other additions include a nice outline of embryonic stages 123 on the inside cover, with corresponding drawings of the embryo and fetus, a list of abbreviations used in the figures and a table of earlier terms and their more contemporary counterparts. The text treats the subject's full spectrum, from gametogenesis to parturition and beyond (week one does not even start until chapter four!). The book is organized into two main sections with several chapters constituting each section. Each chapter is supplemented with an excellent bibliography, broken down by headings including sourcebooks, atlases, techniques and detailed references. The first section, "General human embryology and teratology," introduces general concepts, covers gametogenesis and early embryogenesis and discusses teratology. The second section, "Systemic human embryology and teratology," covers in great depth the systemic organogenesis and development of the embryo and fetus along with the appropriate teratology. The excellent color-coded diagrams and schematics help the reader to visualize the developmental processes. In addition, ultrasound and scanning electron micrographs are used to help the visualization, in keeping current with the excellent educational software packages that provide these resources in a different format. The relevant teratology is usually discussed briefly at the end of a chapter, including many case illustrations of congenital defects. The first section is harder to follow than the systemic material, with chapters on the developing placenta and teratology seeming out of place in the context of the developing embryo and neurogenesis. Also, topics such as twinning and the development of conjoined twins appear as rather large digressions within the discussion of the developing blastula and gastrulation. Many references are made to figures from other chapters, which requires the (mildly annoyed) reader to flip back and forth in order to make full sense of the material. Overall, however, the book has many strengths that may outweigh its perceived weaknesses. The section on systemic development is tough to beat in another textbook, and is most rivaled by the recent educational computer imaging programs. Further appendices also provide a useful guide for the normal measurements, weights and features throughout the course of the developing embryo and fetus.