G. H. Sperber, S. M. Sperber, G. D. Guttmann. China: People's Medical Publishing House price $55.95; pp 225 ISBN

9781607950325

Craniofacial embryogenetics and development is a thoroughly interesting textbook which outlines the growth of the human face, calvaria, jaws and teeth. This text has evolved from one which was released ∼35 years ago by the lead author, under the title Craniofacial embryology. Professor Geoffrey H. Sperber is joined by his son Steven (a geneticist) in this most recent publication, and since embryology has its origins deeply embedded within our genetic makeup, they together apply new genetical concepts to previous understanding of embryology.

The book is divided into two major sections. The first quarter of the book concentrates on general embryology, including the formation of the pharyngeal arches externally, and the pharyngeal pouches internally. These concepts are essential to grasp in order to understand the specific development of the craniofacial region detailed later.

The second or main section deals specifically with the head and face regions. The chapters are structured anatomically, dealing with specific topographical regions individually, for example the salivary glands and 'tongue and tonsils'. There is a great level of detail concerning the facial skeleton, cranial base and palate, all of which are important in cleft patients.

Each chapter is thoughtfully structured, with a chronologic account of development of the specific foetal region in utero, illustrated throughout with relevant drawings, photographs, radiographs and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images of human embryos and foetuses. Of particular interest at the end of each chapter is a section outlining common anomalies of development, which give rise to numerous conditions commonly encountered in the dental surgery, such as micrognathia, and those more relevant to medicine such as hypertelorism and craniosynostosis.

This textbook is a very interesting read from a dentist's perspective, with particular relevance in the field of orthodontics, where the growth of the facial skeleton is studied intimately and often modified during development. Such embryological study underpins the basis of cephalometric analysis and functional appliance therapy, for example. Surgeons would also find this text interesting, as they deal with malformations of the facial skeleton routinely.

Of relevance to the GDP is the chapter on odontogenesis – the development of the dentition, from ectoderm and mesenchyme right through to eruption and cessation of root development. Malfunctions in this process result in commonly encountered conditions such as hypodontia, ectodermal dysplasia and dentinogenesis imperfecta.