The aim of this book is to present as completely as possible a description of the joints of the human limbs, using photographs and drawings of anatomical dissections. Existing descriptive anatomical accounts are often theoretical and not linked to functional activity of the joints concerned; they lack practical demonstra tion of the anatomy. We hope to fill the gap in the available literature by presentation of this book. The work is directed towards anatomists, doctors interested in joint pathology, orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, radiologists, specialists in sport injuries and rehabilitation, also to physicians in general, physiotherapists and students. The book is divided into seven chapters. Each chapter comprises two parts: the first is a brief account of the functional anatomy of the joint. It does not offer a complete description but an overall summary of the functional structures involved. The second section, the main part, includes illustrations (drawings and photographs of anatomical dissections). The dissections and the photographs were prepared in the Department of Anatomy directed by Professor HENRI M. DUVERNaY from cadaveric specimens preserved by the method described by WINCKLER (1964). The process of dissecting the ligamentous structures around joints has proved techni cally difficult. It is easy to create artificially structures from the mass of fibrous tissue and on a number of occasions we have been unable to locate ligaments which are described in some anatomical accounts.
