Strominger NL, Demarest RJ, Laemle LB. Noback’s Human Nervous System: Structure and Function. 7th ed. Springer; 2012; 469 pgs.; 195 illustrations; $209.
This book, Noback’s Human Nervous System, aims to provide readers with a concise yet reasonably comprehensive review of the organization, structure, and function of the human nervous system. Ambitious in its breadth of scope, the book covers a wide range of anatomic detail. From the cellular biology of neurons and end organ receptors to the gross surface anatomy of the brain and spinal cord, the human nervous system is reviewed in 24 well written chapters.
While the emphasis of the book is on basic anatomy and physiology, clinical correlations are provided where appropriate. Classic lesions of the brain and spinal cord are reviewed as they relate to a specific anatomic location or pathway, with the relevant symptoms being described in brief detail. A few chapters are wholly devoted to clinical neurology, including chapter 12, on lesions of the spinal cord, and chapter 17, on lesions of the brainstem.
The latest edition of the book includes revisions to several chapters, including a new section on imaging in chapter 4. Unfortunately brief, this section will fall short of the expectations of most radiologists, containing only 4 pages and 5 images. What the book lacks in neuroimaging, however, it makes up for with Demarest’s outstanding illustrations. These illustrations clearly portray surface and cross-sectional anatomy in painstaking detail, with the various pathways, reflexes, and circuits of the human nervous system superimposed in color. This method of illustration provides a 3D perspective that nicely compliments the radiologists’ expertise in cross-sectional neuroanatomy.
As one might expect from any text attempting to cover the entirety of the human nervous system, some topics lack in detail. For example, the neuroradiologist may find the sections on temporal bone anatomy and circulation to be somewhat cursory. To compensate for these potential shortcomings, references are provided at the end of each chapter for a more detailed review of specific topics.
In brief, the book is best suited for its specified target audience: medical students, students in the allied health sciences and psychology, and residents in neurology, neurosurgery, or neuroradiology. The potential value to the practicing neuroradiologist or neuroradiology fellow would be as a reference text on neuroanatomy and physiology, with the understanding that additional sources on cross-sectional imaging anatomy are required.
