Essentials of Human Anatomy

Abstract

<i>Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.</i>—Alexander Pope Six years ago I had the honor of reviewing for<i>JAMA</i>the eighth edition of<i>Essentials of Human Anatomy</i>, by Woodburne and Burkel. The book remains a classic, but I'm not very happy with the ninth edition. During the intervening years, we have seen (contrary to the opinion of the cell biologist) a lot of new information about gross human anatomy. This information has been very valuable to the practicing surgeon and the student, but the greatest beneficiary has been the patient. And God only knows how much more new information we will see. Let me give a few examples of what is not included in this current edition. (1) We know much better the segmental anatomy of the spleen and the liver. (2) We know considerably more about