Fundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory Manual

Reviewed by Deborah O'Dell, Professor, University of Mary Washington on 8/8/25

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

All body systems are covered in appropriate detail for an Undergraduate Human Anatomy classes. But, there is missing content, for example in the chapter on the integument, nails are not even mentioned as one of the accessory structures and glands which are typically discussed under tissues are not mentioned at all there with little structure discussed where they are mentioned.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Content is accurate, no errors found

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The content is relevant and will continue to be relevant for many years. Although the cranial nerve memnomic is out dated with old names for some of the nerves.

Clarity rating: 5

The writing is clear and easy to understand

Consistency rating: 3

The book shows inconsistencies in coverage of individual structures and in language. For example in the description of the axial skeleton, the bones and features of the skull are shown and described in detail, with foramenia and features shown and labeled. However the mandible has a very short description, with little description or naming of relevant features (eg:condolyoid process) and no visual.

In the description of the skeleton of the upper appendage, the region known as the brachium is named as the "arm" and in the next paragraph, this area is referred to as the "upper arm".

In the description of the integument, the epidermal layers are discussed, but not the dermal layers.
In typical Anatomy texts there is generally a greater discussion of gland types and structure.

Modularity rating: 5

The information is easily divided into smaller sections with subheadings.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text is well organized in a clear fashion.

Interface rating: 5

No interface issues noted

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical issues noted

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

No thing noted.

The book title says it is a lab manual, but there are no directions for student activities in this book. There is a separate document which is titled Lab activities" that must be downloaded which has lab activities. The lab document refers students to lecture slides for information and assumes faculty have TA's running the labs.

The introduction indicates that it includes cat dissections, and it refers to dissections at the end of the skeleton labs, but there are no illustrations or directions in subsequent labs. The book needs to decide whether it is a textbook or a lab book. It is lacking detail in structures as described, and lacking in directions and therefore isn't as useful as either type..

Reviewed by Amy Obringer, Professor of Biology, University of Saint Francis on 9/28/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The Introduction states the Manual 'will provide the necessary support ...to use proper laboratory technique to dissect preserved animal specimens to explore anatomy." However, there were no figures, photos, or instructions regarding dissection.
The book is thorough in its text, but lacking in dissection instruction.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Cranial nerve mnemonic is outdated and does not match the naming system.
Mnemonic uses "A" for vestibular cohlear (ie, old term of auditory) and "S" for (Spinal) Accessory.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

All content is relevant and up to date

Clarity rating: 5

Nicely written.
Figures are very good.

Consistency rating: 5

Consistent organization

Modularity rating: 5

good

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Lymphatic and Respiratory are put together in a chapter.
I think it is more logical to combine Lymphatic with either blood or cardiovascular.

Interface rating: 5

Free of interface issues

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

no grammar issues

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

one of the few lab books to include both light and dark-skinned figures