Larsen’s Human Embryology, 6th Edition

By: Gary C. Schoenwolf, PhD, Steven B. Bleyl, MD, PhD, Philip R. Brauer, PhD and Philippa H. Francis-West, PhD

ISBN: 9780323696043

Pub Date: February 3, 2021

Reviewed By:  Brian R. MacPherson, Ph.D. (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

Description

This book covers human embryology as taught to health-related students in a systems approach. This edition has been extensively revised since the fifth edition in 2015. 

Purpose

The purpose of this revision was to improve clarity and accuracy, feature new illustrations, and include new medical advances in the field. Overall, the book represents one of the best compilations of human 3D descriptive embryology, animal model experimentation in the field, and human birth defects. New content experts served on this revision, resulting in a book that meets the author’s objectives. The videos in the accompanying online StudentConsult are highly valuable learning aids.

Audience

The book is directed toward all health-related student groups as well as graduate students in the field of embryology. It meets the needs of the intended audience and beyond. The author and the over 120 contributors used over the six editions of the textbook are experts in their selected fields of study.

Features

Each chapter starts with a useful summary, generally followed by a linear chronology of development. A number of different boxes appear in a chapter, including “Clinical Taster,” “In The Research Lab,” “Embryology in Practice,” and “In The Clinic,” all bringing different aspects into alignment with the system. A limited but realistic number of suggested readings of recent literature follow at the end of the chapter.

Assessment

The book and online features constitute a very comprehensive learning tool for human embryology.  Lots of very well-done diagrams help illustrate the concepts and, while medical students won’t care much about the “In The Research Lab” text boxes, they will be of interest to senior undergraduates and graduate students working in the field. This sixth edition is an excellent update of the fifth.

©Doody’s Review Service, 2022, Brian R. MacPherson, Ph.D. (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

Doody’s Score: 91 – 4 Stars!

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