Intestinal Absorptive Surface in Mammals of Different Sizes / Edition 1

by Robert L. Snipes

Overview

1. 1 Scientific Aims In recent years, there has been a definite trend away from the casuistic scientific thinking which has dominated the scientific world, at least in the field of medicobi­ ological research. Now, in the last decade of this century, scientists are returning to a conceptual way of thinking that characterized the beginning of this century, namely organismal thinking. The holistic concept is not a new one; it was rekindled by a small group of scientists who, in the previous two decades, have begun to warn against too great an emphasis being placed on a molecular casuistic approach as the final pursuit to science (see Duncker 1983). These thinkers were perhaps instrumental in helping to turn the tide, to instruct and encourage fellow researchers to extend their findings from the molecular and to the organismal (see Duncker 1983, 1992a,b; Duncker and Kreite 1987). Having observed the ceca of many different animals for many years and having described their morphology at different levels of study -from the macroscopic to the electron microscopy level - the need to compare and observe these morphological entities in a quantitiative way became increasingly imminent. Quantitative methodol­ ogy in morphology requires the use of morphometry, which in the most general terms can be described as the measurement of the forms of animals. As defined by Reith and Meyhew (1988), it is quantitative morphology, i. e. , the measurement of structures by any method, including stereology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540629863
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	10/02/1997
Series:	Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology , #138
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1997
Pages:	90
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

About the Author

Snipes, Robert L. (Justus-Liebig-Univ)

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Scientific Aims.- 1.2 General Introduction.- 1.3 Literature Survey.- 1.4 Primary Objectives.- 2 Methodology.- 2.1 Introductory Word on Techniques.- 2.2 Methods.- 2.3 Discussion.- 3 Morphology of the Mammalian Cecum and Colon.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 General Aspects.- 3.3 Terminology.- 3.4 Methodology.- 3.5 Observations.- 4 Morphometry of the Mammalian Cecum and Colon.- 4.1 Application.- 4.2 Concluding Discussion.- 5 Summary.- References.

Editorial Reviews

This softcover book, volume 138 in the series "Anatomy, Embryology, and Cell Biology," presents comparative quantitative data on the adsorptive surface area of the cecum and colon of different mammals. The purpose of this monograph is to present the data which the author has accumulated on the intestinal surface area of many mammals during his research career. This book will be useful to the anatomists who are interested in comparative morphology, especially studies dealing with the mammalian intestine. Virtually all of the data are presented in traditional tables and plotted in figures. A few helpful illustrations are presented. This monograph provides an important summary of comparative data about the adsorptive surface area of the mammalian cecum and colon. However, only a few comparative anatomists will be interested in it. Thus, this monograph is not recommended for purchase by libraries.

Leo Miller

Reviewer:Leo Miller, PhD (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Description:This softcover book, volume 138 in the series "Anatomy, Embryology, and Cell Biology," presents comparative quantitative data on the adsorptive surface area of the cecum and colon of different mammals.
Purpose:The purpose of this monograph is to present the data which the author has accumulated on the intestinal surface area of many mammals during his research career.
Audience:This book will be useful to the anatomists who are interested in comparative morphology, especially studies dealing with the mammalian intestine.
Features:Virtually all of the data are presented in traditional tables and plotted in figures. A few helpful illustrations are presented.
Assessment:This monograph provides an important summary of comparative data about the adsorptive surface area of the mammalian cecum and colon. However, only a few comparative anatomists will be interested in it. Thus, this monograph is not recommended for purchase by libraries.