Applied Human Anatomy
Michael F Nolan, Roanoke, Virginia
John P McNamara, Roanoke, Virginia
Copyright Year:
Publisher: Virginia Tech Publishing
Language: English
Formats Available
Conditions of Use
Attribution
CC BY
Reviews
Reviewed by Xiaoqian Fang, Associate Professor, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 12/22/25
This exercise manual provides a comprehensive overview of human anatomy, covering all major organ systems in sufficient detail for an introductory course. The content is well-structured for group work in a lab setting. read more
Reviewed by Xiaoqian Fang, Associate Professor, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 12/22/25
Comprehensiveness
This exercise manual provides a comprehensive overview of human anatomy, covering all major organ systems in sufficient detail for an introductory course. The content is well-structured for group work in a lab setting.
Content Accuracy
Content is accurate and unbiased.
Relevance/Longevity
The manual is highly relevant for students transitioning from theory to practice. Rather than duplicating standard descriptive anatomy found in primary texts, it focuses on consolidating knowledge through clinical relevant questions. This approach ensures the content remains professionally significant and provides high longevity for students entering clinical rotations.
Clarity
The writing style is clear and highly accessible. The questions are intentionally concise and clinically relevant, allowing students to grasp complex concepts without being overwhelmed by dense prose. This 'short but crisp' approach ensures that the learning objectives are communicated effectively during fast-paced lab sessions.
Consistency
The manual maintains a high degree of internal consistency. Each lab section follows a predictable and logical structure—transitioning smoothly from anatomy review questions to clinical application exercises. This steady progression from memorization to practical application creates a reliable framework that helps students navigate the lab activities with confidence.
Modularity
The textbook offers excellent modularity, allowing instructors to customize assignments based on specific lab constraints. The exercises are designed such that they can be assigned individually or used in a collaborative group setting where students rotate leadership roles. This flexibility makes it easy to scale the material up or down depending on the available lab time or the specific needs of the audience.
Organization/Structure/Flow
The organization follows a traditional regional dissection sequence. While this is logical for a lab setting, instructors at institutions with an organ-system-based curriculum may need to spend time re-sequencing the modules or modifying questions to align with their specific course flow. The transition between topics is smooth, provided the user's curriculum matches the dissection order presented.
Interface
The interface is strictly text-based, consisting entirely of fill-in-the-blank, open-ended, and multiple-choice questions. While the lack of images or videos keeps the layout clean and distraction-free. Students will need supplemental visual resources to complete the exercises effectively, as anatomy is a highly visual discipline.
Grammatical Errors
No issues.
Cultural Relevance
The textbook is culturally neutral, focusing strictly on anatomical terminology and clinical application. As it does not contain images or demographic-specific case studies, it is objective and avoids bias. The language is clinical and impersonal, making it appropriate for a diverse student body.
Reviewed by Shabnam Shakil, adjunct professor, City Colleges of Chicago on 5/25/23
The structure of human body considered in course gross anatomy which is effectively treat injury, disease and disability providing clear understanding of abnormal conditions. read more
Reviewed by Shabnam Shakil, adjunct professor, City Colleges of Chicago on 5/25/23
Comprehensiveness
The structure of human body considered in course gross anatomy which is effectively treat injury, disease and disability providing clear understanding of abnormal conditions.
Content Accuracy
The use of cadaver usually consider more accurate but pictures, videos and photograph presentation of cadaver is an excellent source in this book ,and it’s more realistic approach for knowledge of human structure.
Relevance/Longevity
The more clinical or practice oriented phases and MCQ are relevant with the clinical approach .
Clarity
Effectively addressed within the context of most human anatomy courses .
Consistency
Consistent with each body parts along with different body system , that’s helpful for students understanding the orientation of each organ system and correlation with different organs.
Modularity
Well organized the body system as a module from head to toe .
Organization/Structure/Flow
Every organs with specific body system .
Interface
No navigation issue , perfect anatomical knowledge.
Grammatical Errors
Intended to help meet that need.
Cultural Relevance
No cultural issue as some gross anatomy courses use cadaver not acceptable in some cultural background.
CommentsPerfect book with visual presentation and MCQ .
Reviewed by Kathryn A. Webb Webb, Director of Nursing Simulation, Associate Professor, University of Saint Francis on 11/28/22
A very comprehensive workbook supplement to add application to the study of gross anatomy. read more
Reviewed by Kathryn A. Webb Webb, Director of Nursing Simulation, Associate Professor, University of Saint Francis on 11/28/22
Comprehensiveness
A very comprehensive workbook supplement to add application to the study of gross anatomy.
Content Accuracy
The outline and accuracy of this workbook is superb and will be a very effective tool in teaching both gross anatomy and clinical application in healthcare.
Relevance/Longevity
The information will bring both relevance and application to the student.
Clarity
The questions and progression are clear and understandable.
Consistency
The reviews and exercises are consitent.
Modularity
This workbook can easily be used as a supplement in part or in whole to anatomy and clinical healthcare courses. Sections would be easily shareable.
Organization/Structure/Flow
The text proceeds in a thorough, organized, and consistent manner.
Interface
The text is free of significant interface issues, including navigation problems, distortion of images/charts, and any other display features that may distract or confuse the reader.
Grammatical Errors
The text contains no grammatical errors.
Cultural Relevance
There are no disparities noted.
CommentsThis is a very systematic introduction to the application of human anatomy.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- How to Use the Manual
- 1 Back and Spine
- 2 Shoulder Girdle and Upper Limb
- 3 Hip Girdle and Lower Limb
- 4 Thorax
- 5 Lungs and Pleura
- 6 Heart
- 7 Abdomen
- 8 Heart and Face
- 9 Neck
- 10 Mouth and Pharynx
- 11 Orbit and Eye
- 12 Ear
- 13 Answer Key
About the Book
The structure of the human body is usually considered in courses in gross anatomy. These courses typically consist of lectures by the faculty, readings in assigned textbooks and the study of photographs and illustrations in human anatomy atlases. However, as student’s progress through the curriculum and move into the more clinical or practice oriented phases, many discover that the anatomical knowledge they actually need is somewhat different from the kind they possess. What many encounter is difficulty in applying their knowledge to a clinical setting.
Applied Human Anatomy was created to better integrate material that is more often than not treated separately in contemporary health care curricula. It is hoped that through this integration students will develop a deeper and more lasting knowledge and understanding of human anatomy as they are likely to need it in the evaluation and management of patients.
About the Contributors
Authors
Michael F. Nolan is professor of Basic Science Education at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke. He received his Physical Therapy training at Marquette University and his PhD in Human Anatomy from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Nolan spent the first 34 years of his career teaching gross anatomy and neuroanatomy to medical students and resident physicians at the University of South Florida. He has received more than 20 awards for excellence in teaching including the Master Teacher Award in 2014 from the International Association of Medical Science Educators and the John M. Thompson Outstanding Teacher Award in Neurosurgery in 2006. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters as well as four textbooks in human gross anatomy and neuroanatomy
John P. McNamara is the Director of Anatomy and Assistant Professor of Basic Science Education at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke. His doctoral training is in chiropractic from Life University (Marietta, GA) with undergraduate (Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania) and graduate (Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania) degrees. He is also ABD from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. For nearly the past 30 years, McNamara has maintained a private practice in Salem, VA, and taught fulltime anatomy and physiology, gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and pathophysiology at the College of Health Sciences (Jefferson College) in Roanoke. From 2013 to 2017 he taught the gross anatomy course for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Radford University in Roanoke. He is licensed to practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic in both Virginia and Pennsylvania, and he is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in Virginia.