Includes bibliographical references and index.

The anatomical dissections of Mundini dei Luzzi in 1316, mark the beginning of
an era extending over more than 5 centuries in which the study of the brain was
limited, almost exclusive1y, to description of its gross anatomy derived from the
inspection of gross anatomical specimens. In the 19th century, new techniques
like histology and electrical stimu1ation were developed allowing the first correlation studies of cortical anatomy and brain function. Shortly thereafter, the
development of recording techniques of evoked potentials and spontaneous brain
waves (EEG) further enhanced our understanding of brain function as a function
of its anatomical correlation. One major limitation of all these studies was that at
that time no technique was available to define the anatomy of the brain without
its direct visualization. In other words, precise anatomo- functional correlation
studies were only possible in experimental studies in animals, the unusual setting
of human craniotomies and by careful clinico-pathological studies. These last
studies also shed some light on the functions of structures that had been affected
by a pathological process, and in the late 19th century and early 20th century,
research efforts of clinical neuroscientists focused on anatomo-functional correlation studies making brain anatomy one of their pillars. However, soon these
research techniques reached a limit and, progressively research efforts focused
on pathogenesis, therapeutics and the development of clinical diagnostic techniques. Clinicians soon realized that precise knowledge of brain anatomy was not
necessarily an essential clinical tool and brain anatomy classes in neuroscience
curricula became only of secondary importance.
However, technological advances that had its beginnings in the early 1950’s
eventually lead to a reversal of this trend. A pioneer role in this development was
played by the French school lead of Talairach and Bancaud. Taking advantage of
newly developed imaging techniques, Talairach realized that angiography could
be used effectively to define “non-invasively” the sulcal anatomy of the brain. This
led to the development of the “Talairach Atlas”, which even today, can be applied
practically. Equally important, however, was the collaboration of Talairach with
Bancaud that established functional correlations of the anatomical studies of
Talairach. These pioneer studies of Talairach and Bancaud certainly led to significant contributions of our understanding of human anatomy and its physiological
correlates. Unfortunately, the studies had only a limited impact in the general
clinical neurosciences since they were only applicable to a very selected number
of patients.
Recent neuroimaging developments, particularly high resolution MRI, provided the tools necessary to make detailed brain anatony available to all neuroscientist on a routine basis. This availability, and the expanded understanding of human anatomo-neurophysiological correlates, has led to a resurgence of
the interest of clinical neurophysiologist in gross human brain anatomy and its
functional corre1ates.
Tamraz and Comair’s book on regional anatomy of the human brain using
MRI, is certainly a welcome addition that fulfills our growing need for books correlating anatomy, function and MRI. There are two facts that make this book
particularly appealing for clinicians. Both authors are busy clinicians who, on a
daily basis, apply the information provided in the book to their clinical practice.
This assures that all the information provided has immediate clinical relevance.
In addition, the book is greatly influenced by Professor Tamraz and Professor
Comair’s exposure to the Paris and Montreal’s schools, respectively, both stressing brain anatomy and its relationship to neurophysiology. The immediate clinical practicality of the book and the stress on correlating anatomy and function,
make this book a unique and valuable contribution to the clinical neuroscience
community, and should become a standard textbook for trainees in the clinical
neurosciences. The clinical neurosciences will greatly profit from the practical
approach to gross neuroanatomy, neuroimaging and correlative neurophysi ology
offered in this book.