Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 4th Edition

By Richard Drake, PhD, FAAA, A. Wayne Vogl, PhD, FAAA and Adam W. M. Mitchell, MB BS, FRCS, FRCR

ISBN: 9780323393041

Pub Date: 22 Feb 2019

Reviewed by: Brian R. MacPherson, PhD (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

Description

This is the fourth edition of a student-friendly anatomy book that is positioned between essential textbooks and reference-type books. It has been five years since the third edition, and this book continues the alignment of content to the evolving education environment. The digital version thoughtfully contains a systemic arrangement of the material recognizing curricular changes to systems-based, as well as a useful interactive tool and the highly prized self-assessment section that students crave.

Purpose

The book is designed to convey an appropriate amount of clinically-related information for most medical school curricula. It includes a large number of “in the clinic” scenarios that reinforce the relevance of the anatomy presented. A highly rated aspect of this book is that it excels in clean, uniquely drawn figures supporting student comprehension of the region.

Audience

As the title suggests, this book is designed for students in any health-related field and contains figures that help them understand the complexities and interrelationships in the area being studied. The authors are highly credentialed and have been teaching in the field for many years, which is why the figures add so much to the educational experience.

Features

The two best aspects of the book are the reasonable amount of material addressing the trend toward less complexity in anatomy curricula nationwide, and exemplary artwork that enhances student learning. This edition has added “simple summary line diagrams.” While “drawing it to learn it” is a pedagogy that is making a comeback, these small examples, sparsely located and not in a summary fashion, are often suitably explained by common mnemonics. The use of artwork superimposed on surface anatomy is unique and helpful.

Assessment

This book stands in a relatively poorly populated area of anatomical education, a student-focused book that doesn’t choke them with too much information. It is all highly integrated into clinical vignettes and supported by exemplary artwork. The fourth edition is a valuable step up from the third.

Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 94-4 Stars!