Atlas of the Central Nervous System in Man

This student atlas of the central nervous system is based upon Weigert brain sections prepared by the late R. S. Cummingham which have been used as part of a teaching collection for many years. The atlas consists of 63 full-page plates reproduced by a quality offset process. Six plates are of transverse spinal sections, 32 plates are of transverse brainstem sections, and 25 plates are of sagittal brainstem sections. The authors have used the Paris Anatomical Nomenclature in conjunction with a well-devised system of code numbers that should be popular with students. This code system is facilitated by an appropriate code key appearing on the opposite page next to complete figure legends. Sections in different parts of the atlas have been enlarged different amounts. Spinal cord sections (X 9) are small and do not utilize the available space. Reproductions of the lower brainstem in transverse section ( X 4) include large portions of the cerebellum, thus compromising the available detail in medullary sections. Sections of the medulla and pons and part of the midbrain are not as sharply stained or as crisply reproduced as those of the diencephalon. Structures in the medial part of the temporal lobe, that is, the amygdaloid complex and hippocampal formation, are poorly defined in most transverse sections. Sections through the diencephalon are superb. The series of sagittal plates is excellent and most structures are shown in fine detail; portions of the deep cerebellar nuclei are notoriously difficult to stain sharply in Weigert preparations. The authors have prepared an excellent atlas which should be useful to students and teachers for many years. The publishers should be congratulated for the superb reproductions and the attractive format.