At nearly 1200 pages, this massive classic has stood for half a century as THE single most comprehensive guide to the anatomy of any backboned animal (excluding humans). Anatomy of the Dog is an invaluable guide to its subject, and understandably has been indispensable to students and veterinarians for nearly half of a century. The anatomical descriptions are precise, detailed and accurate, and adhere carefully to the rules of anatomical nomenclature, as established by the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. The descriptions are accompanied by professional anatomical illustrations that are superbly rendered, with clarity, accuracy and detail. Most of the illustrations consist of professional quality pen - and - ink drawings, to which color has been added to illustrate nerves and blood vessels as needed. Other illustrations consist of radiographs, or in the case of serial transverse sections of the brain, actual photographs.

Separate chapters are offered for each organ system. Thus rather than a regional approach (which can be daunting to the introductory student, whatever its practicality when it comes to the dissection lab), each type of structure is dealt with in turn. Accordingly, in the 2nd edition (of which this is a review), separate chapters are offered on integument, the skeleton, ligaments and joints, muscles, the digestive system, respiratory system, urogenital system, reproduction and development, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, the brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord and meninges, spinal nerves, autonomic nervous system, the ear, and the eye. Each chapter contains a bibliography to the primary literature. A detailed (and accurate) index is also provided. The resultant work is truly a masterpiece of incomparable quality, scope, and detail.

The history and authorship of this book deserves explanation. The original vision for the book was that of Malcolm Miller, Professor of Anatomy at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, who died (in 1960) before completing his manuscript. The first edition thefore was completed and published in 1964 by two of his colleagues at the Cornell Veterinary School, George Christenson and Howard E. Evans. The second edition was published by Howard Evans in 1979, and was much expanded and revised from its predecessor, with numerous original illustrations. A few of the chapters or subheadings of this edition were contributed by veterinary anatomists from other institutions. This edition was the definitive one until 1993, when Prof. Evans published the 3rd edition, with 8 new contributors. With generosity, author Howard Evans kept Miller's name in the title.

In sum, Anatomy of the Dog this is not only a magnificent work of scholarship, but an indispensable guide for students, scientists, and veterinarians. ( )