Now in its second edition, this is undoubtedly the best single-volume medical atlas available today, the only better resource being Netter's classic eight-volume set, published in 13 physical volumes over 33 years starting in 1959 and originally called CIBA Collection of Medical Illustrations after the publisher. (The name was changed to Netter's Collection of Medical Illustrations by the new publisher, Novartis.) Once again, Netter's masterly artwork has been faithfully reproduced, though the first edition (LJ 12/89) has been updated to reflect current anatomical knowledge and to incorporate new cross-sectional images to assist in the recognition of current “scanned” images. Organized by anatomical regions, the illustrations are colorful, easily defined, and clearly labeled, and the book closes with a very easy-to-use 48-page index. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.

Noteworthy new features for the Third Edition include:

• New Surface Anatomy Images: Each section begins with a surface anatomy plate to draw attention to the surface features that anticipate the underlying anatomy and highlight the value of careful observation in clinical medicine.
• New Radiographic Images: Added as a useful springboard for further investigation into anatomical detail.
• New and Revised Anatomical Images: Some plates were selected from The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, a 13-volume masterwork. Other images have been slightly revised to reflect current knowledge. Expanded index and updated references.
• Realism without the clutter of confusing minutiae: Almost two-thirds of health science instructors in the United States choose Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy to train their students in anatomy. And with very good reason--because Netter's incomparable medical art and artistry, the foundation of the Atlas of Human Anatomy, reflects his personal belief in the power of the visual image to teach without overwhelming the student with dense, confusing text. To clarify rather than intimidate remains the distinctive and effective Netter approach and it's been working since the publication of the first edition in 1989.
• Timeless in its depiction of anatomical structures: Netter's beautifully-drawn color plates facilitate the understanding of key anatomical relationships in the human body. Information is presented visually with little text.
• Anatomical terminology is consistent throughout the Atlas and conforms to the International Anatomical Terminology (Terminologia Anatomica) approved in 1998.
• Common eponyms are retained parenthetically.
• Leader lines and labels have been reviewed and corrected, where necessary, to ensure their accuracy.

Even when not required, more students choose Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy for their anatomy coursework over any other human anatomy atlas being published today.