The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function [Hardcover]

Per Brodal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0195165608 | ISBN-13: 978-0195165609 | Edition: 3

A major goal of this well-established textbook is to provide knowledge and understanding of neuroscience as a basis for clinical thinking. The strong emphasis on linking basic sciences with their clinical application has implications for the choices of which topics to treat in depth and which to treat more summarily - making this different from most other neuroscience textbooks. For example, topics of great practical importance like the cranial nerves, the autonomic nervous system, and pain are treated in depth. The book provides clear descriptions of brain structures and relates them to their functional properties by incorporating data ranging from molecular biology to clinical neurology and psychiatry. The focus is on fostering understanding of how the brain works rather than on the memorization of many details. Critical thinking is encouraged by providing information about the scientific basis for many "facts," and pointing out where the evidence is insufficient to reach final conclusions. The many two-color illustrations - based on the author's long experience in teaching medical students - make it easy to grasp complex structural and functional relationships.
The third edition goes further than the previous ones in integrating material from all fields of the neurosciences. Two new chapters have been included on the vestibular system and control of eye movements, and all other chapters have been thoroughly revised. Although new material has been added, the total length of the text is virtually unchanged due to careful re-writing and elimination of less important material. There are many completely new figures and numerous others have been redrawn to enhance clarity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Overall, as a basic text for learning or reviewing neuroanatomy, I enjoyed reading The Central Nervous System. It is a very worthwhile addition to the library of students and established clinicians and researchers, as its presentation of many aspects of neuroscience are up to date, authoritative and very helpful for ready access." --JINS

"Here, the dynamic and concise presentation of both the structure and the function of the central nervous system at different levels (molecular, cellular, and systems), with special emphasis on how the different components are connected and interact, manages to captivate the reader . . . I recommend this book to all medical students, and also to more advanced clinicians . . ." --Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry

From reviews of previous editions

"...presents a balanced view based on key background information. An excellent book."--Anthony J. Castro in Choice

"The third edition of Per Brodal's book is beautifully produced and continues the traditions of excellence . . . The book is clearly and concisely written and manages not to lose the reader in anatomical detail, while explaining physiological mechanisms . . . refreshingly easy to read and I would recommend it as an informative text for medical students . . ." --Bill Winlow in Physiology News

"...Per Brodal has risen to the challenge of explaining an increasingly complex topic by a synthesis of style and format that immediately engages even the first time reader, and facilitates understanding...This text belongs in the curriculum of students beginning studies in the health science disciplines. The author has been faithful to the Brodal tradition of bridging the gap between basic and clinical neurosciences by relating structure at all levels of the nervous system (molecular, cellular, systems) to its function."--R.J. Riopelle in Journal of Neurological Sciences

"Brodal has done a remarkable job of presenting a diverse spectrum of topics... The consistent prose of a single author, highlighted blocks of text for clinical examples, and just the right amount of pictures and figures scattered throughout the book enhances its effectiveness in presenting a large volume of facts in a limited space... I agree that this book is ideal for a medical student."--Gregory Youngnam Chang, Archives of Neurology

"The book is very easy to read...A suitable refresher course for all students of neuroscience."--Michael N. Hart in Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology

"The book is well structured and is an essential guide for those who seek a greater understanding in areas of neuroanatomy and nauroscience."--Physiotherapy

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Norwegian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 536 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (October 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195165608
• ISBN-13: 978-0195165609
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Central Nervous System - Structure and Function, Third E, June 18, 2004

By 

Professor William Winlow "Bill Winlow" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function (Hardcover)

The third edition of Per Brodal's book is beautifully produced and continues the traditions of excellence set up by the four editions of the same name published by his father Alf Brodal between 1949 and 1982. The book is clearly and concisely written and manages not to lose the reader in anatomical detail, while explaining physiological mechanisms. The diagrams are well thought out and text boxes are used to highlight physiological, pharmacological or anatomical details, when required, without perturbing the flow of the main text.

The book is aimed at medical students and successfully links basic and clinical science together. It includes new chapters on the control of eye movements and the vestibular system (entitled the sense of equilibrium) and all the remaining chapters have been thoroughly revised and updated to include data from molecular biology to clinical psychology. This makes the book refreshingly easy to read and I would recommend it as an informative text for medical students with interests in the CNS.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor diagrams, sloppy text, November 4, 2006

By 

Mark Twain "book maven" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function (Hardcover)

This was the recommended textbook for my Neuroanatomy class, so I bought it. Turns out, it didn't help very much. Now, in general I am more of a notes person than a textbook person, but with this book I used it more seldomly than usual. For some reason, the text doesn't speak to me as well as other books, and the figures aren't as well-drawn as other books. I ended up buying Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain by Mark F. Bear. It has better writing, and clearer diagrams.