The Ultimate Medical Encyclopedia is a revolutionary visual guide to the human body and the medical conditions that affect it, which can sometimes be diagnosed simply by how a patient "looks." It features hundreds of fine photographs and startlingly precise medical illustrations that explain the human body and detail more than 400 medical conditions and illnesses, from the most common and benign to the rarest and most serious. These illustrations were produced by a team of medical illustrators according to a rigorous methodology, allowing for unprecedented views of the entire human body that have an unparalleled degree of realism. All illustrations were designed with the very latest technology and have been validated by a team of more than 300 physicians, medical specialists and university professors. The entire human body is revealed and recreated through a unique approach to medical imagery. By precisely illustrating and examining every physiological system of the human body, this comprehensive reference book gives the reader a base from which to understand illnesses and conditions and their symptoms, including the mechanisms that cause cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, allergies, depression and sleep disorders. For example, the heart is examined in minute detail and then angina, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery are fully illustrated and discussed. The comprehensive coverage includes: Human cells, blood, the immune system Skin, bones and muscles The nervous and sensory systems The cardiovascular and respiratory systems The digestive and urinary systems The endocrine system Reproduction, childhood and adolescence Alternative care Medical devices, from stents to prosthetic hips There is also expert guidance on how to maintain good health, and general topics such as pregnancy, child growth, nutrition, physical exercise and aging are also addressed. The expert biological and medical information is complemented by a practical index of symptoms that helps readers decide whether to consult a doctor or not. There is also a directory of resources for those wanting to access more information. From how organs work to what causes cancer to grow to whether or not vitamins are useful, easy to understand descriptions and expert, practical advice make The Ultimate Medical Encyclopedia an essential guide to the well-being of the entire family.