This book presents an anatomical overview of the changing form and structure of the human body. Although biomechanical embryology can be traced back to the 19th century, up until recently the most commonly accepted framework for the study of human ontogeny (development of the individual) was molecular biology, which all too frequently relied on findings from animal experiments that remained untested for humans. German embryologist and anatomist Erich Blechschmidt's research concentrates on the evidence presented by the human embryo itself. He offers a new approach to the study of early human growth as a way to shed light on the development of body build, instincts, gestures, language, mathematics, tools, and dress.
Fifty years ago the field of human embryology was incomplete; prior to that time the anatomy of early human embryos was still unknown, and there was much to be learned about the older stages of human embryonic development. It is now understood that human organs result from step-by-step differentiations of the growing human embryo. Research by renowned embryologist Erich Blechschmidt, MD, showed that differentiations are not only the result of a gene effect, but are also brought about through growth initiated by extragenetic (occurring outside the gene) information. Without this extragenetic information the differentiation would not begin. Dr. Blechschmidt and coauthor Raymond Gasser, PhD, maintain that Haeckel's biogenetic law (ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny) was an erroneous attempt to explain developmental processes. Blechschmidt's human embryological investigations showed that Darwin's principles (mutation and selection) are likely valid for the origin of the species, but that they cannot explain the ontogenesis of the organs. The ontogenesis of each individual cannot be derived from phylogenetic facts. The authors stress that a clear distinction must be made between the vast field of phylogenetics and the much more exact and understandable field of ontogenetics—particularly the process of differentiation—and their goal is to present not only the abstract biokinetic principles of differentiation, but the originality of embryonic human beings as well. Their knowledge of developmental movements leads to their conclusion that differentiation is an undivided biodynamic process that occurs during development and includes the chemical processes as well. Logically organized into two sections (the first covers early metabolic fields and includes chapters on the one-cell human ovum, the early embryo, blood vessels, the nervous system, head region, trunk, and limbs; the second describes metabolic fields in later developmental stages, distinguishing fields of corrosion, densation, contusion, distusion, retention, dilation, liquation, and detraction), Biokinetics and Biodynamics of Human Differentiation warrants reading by thoughtful professionals in a number of fields concerned with embryonic differentiation. A new preface by Dr. Gasser addresses how the book's principles and findings were and are understood in the field of human embryology.
The first book in an exciting new series! Many would-be artists are inspired by the works of the great masters—and Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawings are among the most magnificent ever created. But how did he achieve his effects? Choose his materials? Define his approach? Susan Dorothea White, an internationally known artist and teacher, helps students gain an invaluable understanding of Da Vinci’s techniques for depicting the human form and dealing with perspective, line weight, light, shade, and character. With hundreds of images to illustrate her points, she discusses the tools he used; examines his creative techniques; analyzes some of his finest drawings in depth; and devises simple projects for practice. It’s a fantastic resource for any artist.
Understanding Human Anatomy and Pathology: An Evolutionary and Developmental Guide for Medical Students provides medical students with a much easier and more comprehensive way to learn and understand human gross anatomy by combining state-of-the-art knowledge about human anatomy, evolution, development, and pathology in one book. The book adds evolutionary, pathological, and developmental information in a way that reduces the difficulty and total time spent learning gross anatomy by making learning more logical and systematic. It also synthesizes data that would normally be available for students only by consulting several books at a time. Anatomical illustrations are carefully selected to follow the style of those seen in human anatomical atlases but are simpler in their overall configuration, making them easier to understand without overwhelming students with visual information. The book’s organization is also more versatile than most human anatomy texts so that students can refer to different sections according to their own learning styles. Because it is relatively short in length and easily transportable, students can take this invaluable book anywhere and use it to understand most of the structures they need to learn for any gross anatomy course.
In 35 chapters written by the editors and a team of internationally renowned contributors, the book covers the underlying principles of osteopathic palpation from a biodynamic and 'morphodynamic' perspective, and their application in the cranial field and the spinal cord. It emphasises the importance of considering not just the patient's physical self, but also the inner consciousness. It teaches how to assess tissue-energy characteristics, and to use this understanding in managing the whole patient. The work discusses biophysical, neurobiological and psychological interactions as well as the interplay of developmental dynamics and further epigenetic influences on the organism. As well as the primary respiratory mechanism, various biological rhythms play an important role within osteopathic treatment; the book explores new insights that flow from chronobiology and rhythm research. All osteopathic practice develops on conceptual foundations. Acknowledging the importance in the practice of osteopathy of such theoretical underpinning, the book discusses osteopathy with regard to the development of paradigms within the healing arts as well as from various philosophical viewpoints - such as postmodern, system-theoretical, Goethian and phenomenological. It examines thoroughly the multi-layered dynamics of development of human beings interacting with their environment. The resulting implications for therapeutic interaction as well as principles of diagnosis and treatment form the core of the book. These fundamental principles are then specifically applied to the cranial sphere. This section focuses primarily on the treatment of the brain, as well as the developmental dynamics of the relations of the midline, cranial bones, dural structures, vessels and cranial nerves.
"From Anatomy to Architecture, from Biomechanical to Biomotional and from Classical to Connected "- speaks to all bodies, in all modalities; in a world seeking unity and connection more than ever. Yoga, Fascia, Anatomy and Movement was written partly as an appeal for Yoga Teachers to appreciate the depth and breadth of Yoga as a science, a movement practice and a philosophy that fundamentally espouses "wholeness" as the basis of living anatomy and form. Yoga calls for unifying who and how we are; and as teachers - how we can help our clients (who are all different) move better. Classical Anatomy (in the West) divides the body down into its component parts and traditionally (unchanged for 400 years) reduces its functionality to those parts; usually described in a 2D iconic forms and founded in lever-based mechanics. In the East, such reductionism was never espoused and Yoga, Fascia, Anatomy and Movement covers two huge bases to bridge the difference and upgrade understanding of Yoga, to 21st Century anatomy: The first is to recognise that the leading edge of Fascia Science changes all those reductionist views (anatomically and biomechanically). It is carefully explained in the first part of the book and shows how the New Science of Body Architecture actually makes perfect sense of yogic philosophy of union and wholeness. The second is to take this paradigm shift and apply it in practice, to the subtle understanding of the fascial architecture and how that helps us move better. Yoga, Fascia, Anatomy and Movement attempts to ask questions, find suitable research and make all this practical and applicable to teachers and practitioners of all types. (Indeed, it teaches "posture profiling" and creating Class Mandala's, to support this). It is a contemporary yoga teacher's bible.
Teaching Anatomy: A Practical Guide is the first book designed to provide highly practical advice to both novice and experienced gross anatomy teachers. The volume provides a theoretical foundation of adult learning and basic anatomy education and includes chapters focusing on specific issues that teachers commonly encounter in the diverse and challenging scenarios in which they teach. The book is designed to allow teachers to adopt a student-centered approach and to be able to give their students an effective and efficient overall learning experience. Teachers of gross anatomy and other basic sciences in undergraduate healthcare programs will find in this unique volume invaluable information presented in a problem-oriented, succinct, and user-friendly format. Developed by renowned, expert authors, the chapters are written concisely and in simple language, and a wealth of text boxes are provided to bring out key points, to stimulate reflection on the reader’s own situation, and to provide additional practical tips. Educational theories are selectively included to explain the theoretical foundation underlying practical suggestions, so that teachers can appropriately modify the strategies described in the book to fit their own educational environments. Comprehensive and a significant contribution to the literature, Teaching Anatomy: A Practical Guide is an indispensable resource for all instructors in gross anatomy.
This volume attempts to provide accessible accounts of these advances in developmental biology for the non-expert, together with contributions from hominid palaeontologists, which aim to bring this developmental perspective to bear on interpretation of the skeletal record of human evolution. This combined approach is, as yet, in its infancy but it is likely that it will impact significantly on palaeoanthropology and palaeontolgy in general.
