Every student will be affected by a pregnancy, either their mother’s, because what happens in the womb does not necessarily stay in the womb, or by someone else’s. As health care professionals, you will often encounter women of childbearing age who may be pregnant, or you may have children of your own, or maybe it is a friend who is pregnant. In any case, pregnancy and childbirth are relevant to all of us, and unfortunately, these processes often culminate in negative outcomes. For example, 50% of all embryos are spontaneously aborted. Furthermore, prematurity and birth defects are the leading causes of infant mortality and major contributors to disabilities. Fortunately, new strategies can improve pregnancy outcomes, and healthcare professionals have a major role to play in implementing these initiatives. However, a basic knowledge of embryology is essential to the success of these strategies, and with this knowledge, every healthcare professional can play a role in providing healthier babies.
To accomplish its goal of providing a basic understanding of embryology and its clinical relevance, Langman’s Medical Embryology retains its unique approach of combining an economy of text with excellent diagrams and clinical images. It stresses the clinical importance of the subject by providing numerous clinical examples that result from abnormal embryological events. The following pedagogic features and updates in the 14th edition help facilitate student learning.
Organization of Material: Langman’s Medical Embryology is organized into two parts. The first provides an overview of early development from gametogenesis through the embryonic period. Also included in this section are chapters on placental and fetal development as well as prenatal diagnosis and birth defects. The second part of the text provides a description of the fundamental processes of embryogenesis for each organ system.
Clinical Correlates: In addition to describing normal events, each chapter contains clinical correlates that appear in highlighted boxes. This material is designed to demonstrate the clinical relevance of embryology and the importance of understanding key developmental events as a first step to improving birth outcomes and having healthier babies. Clinical pictures and case descriptions are used to provide this information, and this material has been increased and updated in this edition.
Genetics: Because of the increasingly important role of genetics and molecular biology in embryology and the study of birth defects, basic genetic and molecular principles are discussed. llqe first chapter provides an introduction to molecular processes, defines terms commonly used in genetics and molecular biology, and describes key pathways used in embryonic development. Then, throughout the text, major signaling pathways and genes that regulate embryological development are identified and discussed.
Extensive Art Program: The artwork has always been designed to enhance understanding of the text and includes four-color line drawings, scanning electron micrographs, and clinical pictures. Once again, artwork has been added, especially to Chapter 18, to illustrate new concepts in the development of the central nervous system, diaphragm, ear, and other structures.
Summary: At the end of each chapter is a summary that serves as a concise review of the key points described in detail throughout the chapter. Key terms are highlighted and defined in these summaries.
Problems to Solve: Problems related to the key elements of each chapter are provided to assist the students in assessing their understanding of the material. Detailed answers are provided in an appendix at the back of the book.
Glossary: A glossary of key terms has been expanded and is located at the back of the book.
thePoint Web site: This site for students and instructors provides an interactive question bank of USMLE board-type questions. Teaching aids for instructors are also provided in the form of an image bank and a series of lectures on the major topics in embryology presented in PowerPoint with accompanying notes.
I hope you find this edition of Langman’s Medical Embryology to be an excellent resource for learning embryology and its clinical significance. Together, the textbook and online site, the Point, are designed to provide a user-friendly and innovative approach to understanding the subject.
T.W. Sadler
Sheridan, MT