The Human Body (An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders) [Hardcover]

Charles Clayman (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1564589927 | ISBN-13: 978-1564589927 | Publication Date: September 1, 1995 | Edition: 1

Filled with facts about every system and component and valuable information about problems, diagnostic techniques, treatments, and surgical procedures, a unique visual approach to understanding the human body emphasizes the ways individual parts of the body work together.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's big, it's colorful, and it's got everything from your gallbladder and heart to your muscles, bones, blood and brain. Clear and helpful diagrams detail conditions from acne to malignant melanoma. This is a reassuring, easily understood text on our bodies as they exist in their ideal state, as well as common disorders and treatments. It's nice to brush up on anatomy without tests to sweat, but it's also great to have a doctor on your shelf to dispel those 3 a.m. certainties of imminent disease and doom.

From Booklist

This body atlas uses current medical illustration techniques to provide unique views of human anatomical features. Color-enhanced microscope photographs and computer-generated images accompany detailed drawings to illustrate various organs, demonstrate body functions, and depict problems or complications. The introduction explains various types of medical illustration such as computerized tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. These and other techniques are used throughout the next 12 chapters. The first chapter deals with cells, skin, and epithelium (the outer surface of the body). One page features a six-inch cross-sectional view of one layer of skin next to a greatly magnified photograph of a couple of strands of scalp hair. The next 10 chapters look at various systems (e.g., skeletal, muscular, reproductive). The last chapter, "The Human Life Cycle," considers fetal development, childbirth, growth, aging, and inheritance.

Each section is introduced by a one-page essay and a double-page full-body map showing the location or layout of each system. The rest of the chapter contains a series of pertinent illustrations, accompanied by captions and text. Boxed inserts, charts, and photographs highlight special features ("How Muscles Contract," "Types of Neurons," etc.). Diseases and disorders are also pictured. Treatment options, including more than 30 surgical procedures (hysterectomy, coronary bypass, mastectomy) are depicted, as are some standard medical tests.

The illustrations are clear and easy to comprehend, but the text often employs technical language (a glossary is provided). Although essentially a picture book, this is intended for an adult audience. Both The Children's Atlas of the Human Body (Millbrook, 1994) and The Body Atlas (Oxford, 1994) are designed to be accessible to children. The array of photographic techniques used to create high-quality illustrations make The Human Body a unique visual guide. For both reference and circulating collections in public libraries. Libraries may also be interested in an unrelated CD-ROM from DK, The Ultimate Human Body: A Multimedia Guide to the Body and How It Works. With audio and animation, it is available in Windows and Mac versions for $79.95.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1 edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564589927
• ISBN-13: 978-1564589927
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource to read, browse and teach from, December 2, 2003

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Human Body (An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders) (Hardcover)

What a wonderful book this is! It is full of great illustrations and photographs to accompany the clear and concise text about the many aspects of the human body. The book starts with the single cell and the types of cells that make up our bodies. It then tackles each of the various structures in twelve chapters in a quite logical way. We are shown the skeletal system, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems with a final chapter on the human life cycle.

It is a great help to a parent who wants to illustrate a simple point to a child. For example, I wanted to show my son why brushing a flossing teeth are important. I turned to page 157 and was able to show him how left over food and bacteria can infect the gums and how that can damage teeth. He was able to see how cavities cause problems. He discovered on his own that the nasal cavity is connected to the mouth as he suspected.

You can do the same thing with every system of the body. I have found this a resource to turn to again and again.

There is also a glossary with some nice illustrations and a good index.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nothing left uncovered, July 31, 2000

By 

LL (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Human Body (An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders) (Hardcover)

A big fun book for getting seeing how your body works. I like all the big colorful drawings and the close-up microscopic views of things like cells, hormones, bacteria, etc... It is fun to read about real life experiences e.g. learn how the immune system when you're sick...

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is awesome!, March 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Human Body (An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders) (Hardcover)

I can't believe how much you get for the price of this book. The illustrations are amazing, and the explanations of the human body, its functions, and disorders related to each system are clear and understandable. While anatomy parts are given their correct medical terms, the explanations use everyday language and are therefore very easy to understand. I have found this to be an excellent supplement to my medical terminolgy book, as an added resource to get a grasp on what REALLY goes on in our bodies. This book is one not to be missed!