About the A to Zs

The A to Zs are small pocket-sized medical reference books arranged alphabetically so that if you can think of it, you can find it and understand it.
Minimum text with clear, colourful illustrations for quick recall.  There are currently many topics – medical terms / peripheral nerves / the brain and cranial nerves / skeletal muscles / the digestive tract / surface anatomy / the bones, joints & ligaments (& the back)  / the head and neck (muscles & bones) / skin infections  – with more to come.

always interested in feedback or comments write to me at:
mandasatoz@gmail.com

More About the A to Zs

These handy sized reference books deal mainly with anatomical concepts, of various systems of the human body and they have illustrations on each and every page – at least!

Important facts regarding the subject are also included on the text page or in the text section, which as I have said is minimal.

 

Most of the images are easily understood and do not have any text. However they do have numbered labels which relate to a key, or legend usually on the opposite page.

One of the beauties of these books is of course their size 17cm X 11cm X 2cm- so they DO REALLY FIT IN THE POCKET. They are between 200-300 pages, and they only weigh ~ 250g. Their spiral binding makes them very readable as they can lay flat and be bent over, without causing page loss or spinal breakdown.

Pages do not pop out unless you rip them out, which can be done.

 

The back cover doubles as a book mark, and a spine title. On the inside it has all images of the front covers of the other A to Zs, so you can see all the titles of the series. On the back when folded over the title of the book is visible so that although they are spiral bound they can be placed on the shelf with the title still visible. This is a unique feature of the A to Zs.

They are printed on good quality paper which is nice to feel and easy to write notes on.

But the images are the thing and the unique way they are arranged. ALPHABETICALLY

THINK OF IT AND FIND IT

Just in case, though each book has a TABLE of CONTENTS and many have a separate index as well. The Table of Contents often acts as both. Within the text there is also considerable cross referencing.

 

These books have found their way into most GP practices as they are so useful and many a student’s pocket for the same reason but you may not know they are also used in court as a reliable anatomical source, and consulted frequently by medico legal experts and those involved in workers compensation cases. They are also used by many other health professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

But these books are for ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR BODY.

 

 

GENERAL STRUCTURE of the A TO Zs      –

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS also acts as the index

COMMON TERMS – this is a glossary of the common terms used in the discipline discussed. It is illustrated and discusses a wide range of other areas in the discipline very briefly.

MAIN CONTENT – this part of the book discusses the content and arranges it alphabetically – generally illustrations occupy at least one page with text on the other but here too there may be additional illustrations. No illustration has any writing but it may have labels which are explained in the text.

 

EACH BOOK HAS A DISTINCTIVE COLOUR.

This is anatomy at its easiest on subjects everyone should know about, at a level of exceptional expertise.

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The A to Z of Hair, Nails & Skin

The structure of the biggest & most visible organ in the body THE SKIN, is described in detail along with its associated adnexae; the HAIR and NAILS. The book is divided into these 3 distinct sections each listed in the A to Z way, with clear colourful diagrams. The changes over time including age related changes are clearly illustrated. The large Common Terms section explains & illustrates terminology on the subject, also extensively illustrated. With over 270 pages & 320 illustrations it still fits in your pocket for convenience.

 

The A to Z of Peripheral Nerves

The origins, pathways, branches and functions of all the Peripheral Nerves are listed alphabetically and illustrated individually. The main content includes neurological testing techniques, basic structural components of the nervous system and overviews of the major nerve plexi. It begins with a comprehensive glossary of all terms, and illustrations of basic anatomical principles. With over 230 pages and 320 illustrations this strong little book still fits in your pocket

 

The A to Z of Skeletal Muscles

The origins, insertions, blood & nerve supply as well as simple testing for all muscles are listed alphabetically with separate illustrations, after an initial introduction explaining the major muscle groups and their actions, and other muscle movements. Basic structural components of the skeletal muscle system are included with a comprehensive glossary explaining all terms used in the field. With over 280 pages and 320 illustrations this strong little book still fits in your pocket.

 

The A to Z of Bones, Joints and Ligaments and the BACK  

All the bones, joints and ligaments of the body, including teeth are listed alphabetically. At least 2 views of each bone and joint are illustrated, along with their blood and nerve supplies. The Range of movement and basic structure of all the skeletal components are categorized and illustrated. There is a separate section in the back on the BACK – Vertebral Column where it is discussed as a functioning unit. Over 280 pages and 330 illustrations make this little pocket book invaluable, and still pocket-sized.

 

The A to Z of Bone and Joint Failure  

All the bones, joints and ligaments of the body have a microstructure and associated pathologies – things cause them to fail, in a number of ways. This book illustrates and analyses how & why these tissues fail. It goes into the microstructure, development, control and formation and how their interactions under various stresses and imbalances including age. There are over 280 pages and 350 illustrations in this concise pocket book reference.

 

The A to Z of the Heart  

The heart is comprehensively illustrated along with the great vessels. This book also includes illustrations of all the major vascular structures and describes the circulation of the major organs and systems. The clinical section contains examination and testing of the heart and blood vessel flow. Arteries, veins, capillaries and lymphatics their pathways and special features are present in this book of over 240 pages and 300 illustrations.

 

The A to Z of the Digestive Tract    

The Digestive tract is one long tunnel from food to faeces – its components are individually illustrated, colour tagged and listed alphabetically along with many of its adjunct organs. Their structure and functions are also clearly described along with sectional overviews. In particular detailed descriptions of the intricacies of the oral cavity, the processes of swallowing are included in this book of 220 pages and 300 illustrations.

 

The A to Z of the Head and Neck

Muscles and Bones

This very detailed and highly illustrated book, explains the complex interactions between the muscular layers; their relationship to the bones and fascial layers. Each bone and muscle is illustrated and described and listed alphabetically; including the teeth. The Skull as a single entity is examined including common radiological and other imaging views. Muscles with common functions and nerve supplies are also grouped in this way to understand their interdependence and interactions with cross reference to their individual plates. This book contains 280 pages and over 330 illustrations, and still fits in your pocket.

 

The A to Z of Surface Anatomy

The surface anatomy of all anatomical regions and structures are illustrated at several levels from superficial to deep. Methods of locating structures deep in the body using common landmarks are illustrated cross referenced and listed alphabetically. Proportions and relations between limb and regional sizes are charted extensively. Photographs as well as detailed graphics are used extensively, in this pocket-sized book of 240 pages and 300 illustrations.

 

The A to Z of the Brain and Cranial Nerves

The brain as an entity its blood supply and unique features along with the individual structures within it are illustrated and then listed along with their primary functions alphabetically. Sections on the testing and pathways and interactions of cranial nerves are also included in a separate clinical section in this book of 270 pages and 320 illustrations.

 

The A to Z of Medical Terms

This book is invaluable as a medical terminology reference – initially designed for the derivation of the anatomical terms; it has expanded to include tables of medical, pathological and other specialist terms; tables of prefixes and suffixes which allow interpretation of terms and lists of abbreviations commonly in use. It also includes forms of address, titles, major medical associations and other useful material; such as the preparation of specimens for the laboratory. Many (over 200) small illustrations are used to demonstrate the terms throughout the book of 260 pages.

 

The A to Z of Endocrinology    

The molecular structures of the main components of the Endocrine system are carefully illustrated in the first section of this book; followed by a separate section on Vitamins and other essential substances. The pathways to make these components into the active hormones, &/or enzymes of the body and their control points are drawn out fully. A number of tables demonstrate Hormone properties; sites of actions and synthesis, mode of transport, stimulators and inhibitors. The Many Abbreviations and Acronyms used here and elsewhere in endocrinology are listed in detail as a helpful resource for the clinician. Organs of the endocrine system and the their target tissues are clearly illustrated and listed alphabetically. There are over 290 pages and 350 illustrations in this concise pocket book reference.

 

The A to Z of the Major Organs    

The body works via its organs, which are made up of cells. Hence the first section of this book deals with the cells and their components well illustrated and explained. The second section deals with the Main Organs – many from the Digestive tract but also the Brain, Heart, and Skin, and all in alphabetical order. These organs are explained with many clear and concise illustrations, demonstrating their Blood and Nerve supplies, and other special features. This book has over 280 pages and 320 illustrations, and still pocket-sized.

 

The A to Z of the Reproductive and Sexual Organs  

The organs of reproduction, change dramatically over a lifetime. At one stage being both the same for each sex – the indifferent stage. They do not only deal with reproduction but sexual function as well. This books carefully demonstrates their special features and their changes over time and how this affects the individual. In particular the female cycle is mapped out from menarche to menopause. Many aspects of sexual function and dysfunction as well as sexual interaction are illustrated and can be used as a guide for the clinician and patient alike. It has 300 pages and over 350 illustrations.

 

The A to Z of EYEs    

Eye tests useful to monitor the eye’s health begin this A to Z book. The eye and its components are separately illustrated and listed alphabetically. Their structures and functions are shown along with many of the common pathologies of the areas. A separate clinical section discusses and shows many of the techniques used to treat common eye complaints. This book has over 290 pages and 330 illustrations

 

The A to Z of Respiration    

The most bothersome anatomy of the Respiration is in the Head and Neck, and it is some detail these structures are illustrated an explained. They are also involved in sleep, speech and interact in the swallowing process. Along with the other components of the Respiratory tract these structures are listed alphabetically. Their essential functions discussed and the pathologies which may affect them. This book has over 280 pages and 320 illustrations.

 

The A to Z of Blood and Iron

Blood, although not often thought of as such, is an organ, a thixotropic fluid. It has structure, cells and functions much like other organs in the body. It interacts directly with nearly every cell of the body and so is a gauge of the body’s health. The shape of its components and their state will drastically alter its behaviour which will reflect around the body as a whole. Looked at in this unique manner, this book is not like other haematology texts in that the very anatomy of the blood is examined in detail, along with its interaction with one of the most toxic elements on earth, Iron. This book has 300 pages and over 400 illustrations.