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Foreword to the 7th edition

In each of the six editions published since 1999, it has been our goal to provide readers with the latest scientific information, and to illustrate this with outstanding colour photographs of highquality anatomical preparations, pictures derived from contemporary imaging modalities and digitally coloured schematic representations. The same approach has been rigorously pursued in this, the seventh, edition. Numerous suggestions from students and practising veterinary colleagues have been incorporated into this new version. Throughout this process, the overwhelmingly positive responses to our earlier work inspired and challenged us in equal measure to maintain our previously established standards. The addition of a chapter on avian anatomy has transformed the book into a comprehensive volume covering the anatomy of domestic animals. Based on our colour text and atlas “Anatomie der Vögel” (2009; published in English as “Avian Anatomy” in 2016), this new chapter focuses on the anatomical features that are particular to the class Aves. More detailed descriptions and additional illustrations pertaining to the fundamental and clinical/applied anatomy of birds can be found in “Avian Anatomy”. To acknowledge the lasting contribution that our book has made to veterinary anatomy, a further priority in developing the seventh edition was to preserve its essential purpose. Thus, the newly integrated learning and teaching materials are intended not only to satisfy the increasing demands of anatomical study and clinical practice, but also, ideally, to inspire enthusiasm in our readers for a discipline that is often regarded as “dry”. If we make any progress toward reaching this desired goal, we will have achieved a great deal. The new edition covers essential aspects of systemic, topographic and clinical anatomy and aims to promote understanding of the complex relationships between anatomical structures and their associated functions. The contemporary approach of combining a veterinary anatomy textbook and colour atlas is further enhanced by the inclusion of imaging and pictures of anatomical sections. In this way, we seek to address the challenges of modern-day veterinary practice by providing practitioners with a tool for interpreting sectional representations obtained using diagnostic imaging modalities. This edition has also been designed to facilitate modular interdisciplinary education in organ structure and function. Far more than ever before, veterinary curricula require students to acquaint themselves with the fundamentals of anatomy through independent study and critical evaluation. However, this can result in knowledge deficits that are often quite profound. This 7th edition strongly supports independent learning by organising information based on systems and topography. Presentation of fundamental anatomical content in this discipline-oriented manner facilitates understanding of applied anatomy in clinical contexts, as required in modular learning and teaching settings. To further ensure scientific rigour, anatomical terms used in the 7th edition are taken consistently from the most recent version of the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (2017). Our combined text and colour atlas has in recent years been recognised internationally, earning acclaim from students and colleagues around the world. This is reflected in the appearance of licensed editions in 11 additional languages. Of particular note are the translations into Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Turkish, Japanese and Chinese. Further translations are currently in preparation. Arguably the world’s most widely translated veterinary textbook, it serves as a valuable tool for students, helping them to prepare for and successfully complete their veterinary examinations. Moreover, as a companion reference book, it has an established role in facilitating proficiency in clinical practice. These are pleasing outcomes in which we take a certain degree of pride. Updating of the educational content in this edition would not have been possible without the assistance of numerous colleagues. We have, in the past, had opportunity to express our deep appreciation to co-authors who contributed written content and images to earlier editions, to colleagues responsible for preparing anatomical specimens and to co-workers who brought their technical expertise to bear in ensuring that the various editions have been so aesthetically pleasing. In particular, we thank Dr. Polsterer (Vienna) for the schematic illustrations and Ms Schura (Munich) for her expertise in digital colouring. Several colleagues in the scientific community have provided helpful suggestions and contributions to this latest edition, in the form of both text and images. We acknowledge and express our thanks to Professor Latorre (Murcia, Spain) and Dr. Hartmann (Stephanskirchen) for providing clear and informative arthroscopic images and pictures of the guttural pouch of the horse. Dr. Witter (Vienna) and Dr. Schöpper (Vienna) also deserve particular thanks for their contributions to the chapter on the common integument, and to the description of the teeth. Sincere thanks are due to Professor Kneissl (Vienna) and Professor Ludewig (Vienna) for revising and updating the section on diagnostic imaging. A further debt of gratitude is owed to Associate Professor Paulsen (Vienna) for contributing recent findings to the chapter describing the lymphatic organs. Professor Budras (Berlin) supplied important suggestions regarding the common integument. Selected material relating to hoof trimming, provided by Dr. Hagen (Leipzig) for the online component of the 6th German edition, has been incorporated into this new edition. With reference to the chapter on avian anatomy, we extend our thanks to Dr. Donoso (Universidad de Concepción, Chile) for furnishing us with a valuable image of a claw on the wing of a Chilean bird. Particular thanks are due to Dr. Corinna Klupiec for her scholarly and technically competent translation of the additional text and image labels appearing in the 7th English edition. Her profound bilingual and anatomical skills have once again been demonstrated in this publication. Our thanks also go to Professor Simoens (Ghent) for his expert suggestions and for his critical appraisal and revisions of the text and image labels.In closing, we wish to thank Dr. Schäfer, Ms Schwarz and Ms Wallstein who, on behalf of the publisher, have provided active and helpful stewardship throughout the production of this 7th edition.