Atlas of brain anatomy for EMI scans

Atlas of brain anatomy for EMI scans

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology , 40 (1976) 671--672 671 © Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The N...

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Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology , 40 (1976) 671--672

671

© Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands

BOOK REVIEWS e d i t e d b y H. PETSCHE a n d JOHN R. HUGHES

A n a t o m y of the central nervous system in review. -- D.H. Ford. (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1975, 222 p., Dfl. 47.50, U.S. $ 1 9 . 9 5 ) . In the introduction the author states t h a t it is his aim " t o provide both an outline and a pictorial (or schematic) survey of those aspects o f the central nervous system which seem relevant to comprehending the basic function of the nervous system". To achieve this aim, each chapter is introduced by a short summary of embryological facts important for an understanding of the matter of the particular chapter. In the first chapter the macroscopical structure of the CNS is discussed beginning with the spinal cord and ascending to the cerebral cortex. The next chapter is dedicated to the functional unit of the CNS, the neuron. Different types of neurons and of glial cells, their appearance and their function are discussed. This histological part is followed by a chapter dealing with vascular system, meninges and ventricular system. The main part of the book, i.e., 69 of 222 pages, is taken up by a comprehensive treatise of the CNS pathways. Two short chapters dealing with the autonomic nervous system and with changes during maturation and aging are appended. In the final chapter a number of cases is presented which effectively demonstrate how essential an adequate knowledge of the arrangement and function of the CNS is for making a reliable neurological diagnosis. At the end of the b o o k there is a very complete index which is helpful for the reader, particularly for the beginner. The book is illustrated by 123 black and white figures, most of t h e m line drawings. In contrast to the clarity of the t e x t m a n y of the

illustrations are open to criticism. Most figures are comparatively small and particularly the photographs often lack clarity and are difficult to interpret. This could be changed in a second edition which will probably soon be necessary since the book provides an excellent and up-to-datd survey of the CNS that is to be highly recommended. K. DETZER Institute of A n a t o m y , University, Bonn (W. Germany)

Atlas o f brain a n a t o m y for EMI scans. -- F.C. Shipps, T.J. Madiera, H.W. Huntington and R.D. Wing (Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1975,

16 p., $ 6.00). It is certainly appropriate to review this Atlas of Brain A n a t o m y for EMI scans in the "Journal of Electroencephalography and Clinical N e u r o p h y s i o l o g y " for the clinicain should be aware of the capabilities of this new technique of c o m p u t e d tomographic brain scanning and its relationship with respect to other established examinations such as electroencephalography and radionuclide brain scanning. This Atlas is intended to serve as a guideline for the purpose of correlating the anatom y of the brain with the axial tomographic displays seen on the computerized axial tomographic (CAT) scans. In the past, anatomic sections of the brain have been studied in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes of sections. The computerized axial tomographic sections are made at varying angulations ranging between 0 and 25 degrees to the orbito-

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meatal line. This orientation of the brain and its surrounding subarachnoid cisterns is an unfamiliar one, and for this reason it is important to study the a n a t o m y of the brain in different angled planes of section. The authors have included in this Atlas transverse sections of the brain reportedly obtained at 0 and 15 degrees. These sections do provide an important orientation that is essential for the accurate identification of anatomical structures demonstrated on the computer tomographic scans o f the brain. I believe that a greater in-depth presentation of the material would have made this Atlas a more meaningful one to the student who

BOOK R E V I E W S

is beginning to learn this new imaging technique. A series of labeled tomographic brain sections obtained at different levels and at different angles that correlate with the anatomic sections would be very instructive to the student. At a price of $ 6.00 I believe that this Atlas is w o r t h y of purchase and certainly serves the purpose for which it was intended. PETER E. WEINBERG Northwestern University, Medical Center, Chicago, Ill. 60611 (U.S.A.)