Human Embryology and Developmental Biology: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access by Bruce M. Carlson

From the Publisher

This thoroughly revised 4th edition offers both clear descriptions and explanations of human embryonic development based on all the most up-to-date scientific discoveries and understanding. Particular attention is paid to the fundamental aspects of molecular mechanisms in development, introducing you to major families of important developmental molecules. Clinical aspects of development are covered throughout in boxed sections of text. First-rate illustrations and Student Consult access, including online animations, complete this essential package.

• Integrates contemporary developmental knowledge with classical embryological understanding.
  
• Interprets complex molecular developments, to help you learn how exactly the embryo develops.
  
• Presents first-rate clinical photos and clear drawings, to help you to memorize and understand normal and abnormal development.
  
• Uses clear sections within the chapter and summaries at the end of each to help you navigate this complex subject.
  
• Includes review questions at the end of each chapter to help you assess your knowledge.

• Provides more coverage of molecular development to help you interpret complex information.
  
• Helps you to understand the full 3-D development of the embryo and the shapes of the developing forms using detailed animations on Student Consult.
  
• Revises the section on the development of the head, particularly useful for dental students.

Larry R. Cochard

This new softcover book on embryology is aptly named. It covers normal human development and clinical embryology, with emphasis throughout on relevant molecular and experimental studies. The purpose is to introduce the structural changes in the embryo and fetus in the context of the rapid and revolutionary scientific developments in the field. The stated goal is to do this in a manner that is understandable to the beginning student and streamlined enough for the reduced emphasis on embryology in medical curricula. The book is intended for first-year medical and allied health students. The excellent coverage of clinical topics such as congenital defects, treatment of infertility, prenatal imaging, and the genetic manipulation of embryos will make this appealing to medical students. The detailed coverage of the cellular and molecular basis of development, however, points to a different audience, perhaps graduate students, advanced medical students, or more specialized health professionals. The chapters in the first half of the book emphasize early development, the body plan, mother and fetus, molecular and cellular concepts, and related clinical topics. The second half covers the body systems. The book's unique feature is its focus on the biology of development. No other book in its class has its detail at the molecular and genetic level and its scope. It includes some histology and cell biology, and the descriptive figures on the body systems tend to emphasize more realistic changes in structures instead of schematics. The author does an admirable job on the science of development and the current state of medical embryology, but the detail works against the beginner, at least for a shortembryology course. Although the book may not stand alone for any particular course, it would be an excellent reference for advanced students in a variety of areas in biology and medicine. There is much of value in this unique book.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Mark Jaffe, DPM, MHSA (Nova Southeastern University)
Description:This is the fourth edition of a concise introductory textbook on human embryology that focuses on the molecular and mechanistic basis of human development. This edition updates and improves upon the layout of the third edition published in 2003.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide an overall view of human and mammalian development. The major families of developmental molecules are presented at an introductory level. With the information from the field of molecular biology growing exponentially, a book that introduces classic human embryology with the molecular basis of developmental biology fills a need in the medical curriculum. The author has met his objectives by updating this book without providing excessive details.
Audience:Although novice students of embryology are the intended audience, the book also could be used by clinicians who would benefit from a trip back to the future so they can look at their specialty from a modern developmental outlook. The author is well recognized in the field of cell and developmental biology.
Features:Part I of the book's two parts has eight chapters on the early development and the fetal-maternal relationship, while chapters 9 through 18 in part II cover the development of the body systems. The final chapter focuses on the fetal period and birth. The writing is clear and the book adequately covers the topics. The features that stand out are the clinical photos and drawings. Students will appreciate the end of chapter summaries and review questions, especially the clinical vignettes. The index at the end ofthe book is straightforward and easy to use. With the understanding that the author has sacrificed some of the details for clarity, the book includes an extensive reference list at the end of each chapter that interested learners can access for a more in-depth understanding of development. Access to the companion Student Consult website provides readers the ability to search the entire contents and view an image library and animations. The main shortcoming is its minimal coverage of fetal development and birth.
Assessment:This is an excellent introduction to classical human embryology from a mechanistic and molecular viewpoint. It fills an important niche at a time when medical educators are faced with a conundrum. The genetic basis of disease and development are becoming more stressed in medicine at the same time that there is decreased coverage of classical embryology in the undergraduate medical curriculum, where it has been subjugated to a few lectures in most anatomy courses. The speed of change in the growing field of molecular and developmental biology warrants this revised and updated version. Overall, it improves upon the third edition it replaces, with improved artwork and the new approach to the development of the head that dental students will find very useful.

Booknews

Combines an introduction to the molecular and mechanistic basis of human development with classic descriptive embryology. Presents the latest findings in the fields of genetics, cell biology, endocrinology, reproduction, pathology, and anatomy, discussing their effect on human developmental biology. Includes review question with answers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Rating

3 Stars from Doody

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents