Mechanical Design in Organisms

In recent years important advances in the physiology and biochemistry of the musculoskeletal system have allowed major contributions to the understanding of function and disease. Unfortunately, many of the people interested in studying organisms at an extremely basic level, as well as those involved in the treatment of disease processes of the skeletal system, frequently fail to grasp the importance and interrelationship of form and function present in the skeleton as well as in other biologic supporting tissues. The authors have presented an extremely logical and detailed concept of the biomechanics of various biological tissues. They approach this in a sequential fashion, beginning with basic engineering concepts of materials, introducing biological variables at a molecular level, and finally approaching the complexities of form and function at a macroscopic level. Their final section on ecomechanics should prove interesting to any scientist. It is a review of the many interrelationships between inanimate and animate forces that comprise our planet. It is extremely fascinating to read from the standpoint of relationships to biologic adaptation and evolution. This book provides a detailed and useful bridge from the biomechanist to the basic scientist and clinician. It should be of value and interest to anyone interested in biologic function, and particularly to those interested in structure. It has an extensive list of references that should prove invaluable to those seeking additional information. In 1917, D'arcy Thompson first published his classic book On Growth and Form. The authors have succeeded in bringing many of his concepts in line with modern concepts of physiology and function. The book is full of basic and applied principles, and should prove a very useful adjunct to the library of anyone remotely interested in biologic mechanics. JOHN A. OGDEN Section of Orthopedic Surgery Yale University School of Medicine