January 2007 Vol 7 correct A.indd


The Role of Mathematics on Human Structure
Author: Swapan K Adhikari1

Reviewers: *Omar A Habbal2, Mohieddin Al-Baali3

 SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL JOURNAL
DECEMBER 2006 VOL 6, NO. 2
SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY©

A U T H O R

Dr. Swapan Kumar Adhikari MSc (Pure Mathematics), 
PhD, Head of the Institution & Head of Department of 
Mathematics, Ghusuri Uchcha Madhyamik Vidyalaya 
(High), Howrah, West Bengal, India.

B A C K G R O U N D  T O  T H E  B O O K

During 10 years research the author focused on the 
physiological and anatomical problems stemming from 
surgical anomalies. He came to the conclusion that it 
is surely the lack of mathematical precision in ortho-
paedic surgery that causes orthopaedic handicaps. The
author firmly believes that if mathematical deductions
were applied to orthopaedic knowledge many immedi-
ate complications and sequelae could be avoided and 
people could regain new life in the true sense of the 
term. 

C O N T E N T  O F  T H E  B O O K

The book has 156 pages. It consists of preface and index
with 12 chapters as follows:
1. Leonardo de Vinci – the anatomist of great ability 

2. Physiological concepts from René Descartes

3. Mathematical explanation of Descartes’ concept of 
the Pineal Gland and the modern view

4. Mechanism of the movements of the Heart – math-
ematical concepts

5. Cervical deformations – their causes and deduc-
tions on mathematical basis 

6.  Mechanism of the skeletal Shoulder Joint – ana-
lyzed by mathematical process

7. Vertebrae and their efficiencies – expressed in
mathematical procedure

8. Distribution of forces through the Pelvis by math-
ematical deductions

9. Human Femur and mathematical examination

10. Structure of the Femoral Condyles distributing 
weight to the lower part of the leg

11. Structure of Bone Lamellae and distribution of 
forces on the Hip Joint

12. Role of Ligaments on the movements of the Femur 
in comparison with the Hip and its mathematical 
examination.

 TH E  R E A D E R SH I P  MO ST  SUI TE D  F O R  TH I S
B O O K
This book would be of value to professionals in the fields
of human biomechanics and kinematics. These include
physiologists, clinical anatomists, physicians, surgeons, 
radiologists and researchers. It will help them to calcu-
late physiological movements on the basis of degrees 
of freedom and, in restorative procedures, to replace 
bones properly to avoid shortening and extension of 
limbs and other parts of the human structure and to 

B O O K  R E V I E W

االنسان تركيب في الرياضيات دور

ISBN  81-901643-0-9
Price of the book including postage.$10.95. 

Available at Asian Books PVT Ltd (Email: calasian@vsnl.com) 

1Head of the Institution & Head of Department of Mathematics, Ghusuri Uchcha Madhyamik Vidyalaya (High), Howrah, West Bengal, India 
Email: swapu_adhi@rediffmail.com

2Associate Professor, Department of Human & Clinical Anatomy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of 
Oman, 3Associate ProfessorDepartment of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: habbal@squ.edu.om



S WA PA N  K  A D H I K A R T

94

restore the absolute normalcy of the original position. 

 A PPR O PR I ATE N E S S  O F  TH E  C O N TE N T  TO
TA R GE T  R E A D E R SH I P
The content, within the mentioned limitations below,
seems to be appropriately suited for the intended read-
ership. The interdisciplinary approach of the author to
express some of the operations and distributions of 
weight in the human body through mathematics will 
help in the accurate management of physically handi-
capped or disabled patients. 

C OMPR E H E N SI V E N E S S  O F  TH E  C O N TE N T
The book covers a limited number of parts of the hu-
man body, such as movements of the heart, the pin-
eal gland, cervical deformities, the vertebrae, pelvis, 
femur and hip joint. Other areas of mathematical 
and dimensional importance are, unfortunately, in-
adequately covered or omitted. For example, it would 
have been appreciated if the synchronized movements 
of thoracic elements (respiratory elements), restora-
tion of the cranial bones (neurosurgery) and facial 
bones (faciomaxillary and plastic surgery), dentistry 
(orthodontics), pelvi-foetal interrelationships (obstet-
rics) had also been covered by this book.  Indeed, the 
human body has many aspects relevant to this type of 
study.  These areas are for the author to consider in
future publications.

O R G A N I SATI O N  O F  TH E  C O N TE N T
From the title of the book, “The Role of Mathematics
on Human Structure”, one expects human ‘structure’ 
to be the focus. Yet, the author delves into wide areas 
of ‘function’ including blood chemistry, respiratory 
exchanges and thermodynamic concepts to explain 
some functional and biochemical reactions. This may
well be unavoidable, but then the title should encom-
pass such areas.  This would in no way diminish the
central interest of the book.  

M ATH E M ATI C A L  A N A LY SI S
This book studies the useful role of applied mathemat-
ics for the human body by considering several math-
ematical expressions, which are illustrated for certain 
applications. The analyses are useful in most cases, but
several statements require careful rewriting or correc-
tions.   In particular, pages 21-25  provide  a  lot of 
details, but some equations are not well described and 
are hard to follow. They should be written on similar
lines to those in other chapters of the book. 
In the following list of examples, some comments and 

suggestions are to be considered: 
1. The following mistakes should be corrected.

• The equations for ρ and ∆F (see lines 7-10 from the
bottom of page 22),

• “ c/L2” (should be “1/L2”), (at the bottom of page 23)

• The expressions for α and β  (line 4 from the bottom
of page 65)

• The expression for log r on page 92.

2. Details and explanations to clarify the methods of 
obtaining formulas are needed in many areas of 
the book where unclear mathematical statements 
are made. It would also be useful to provide some 
references for some known results. For example, 
the equations of motion on page 54 should be re-
ferred to a suitable book.

G E N E R A L  C O M M E N T S

Q UA L I T Y  O F  C O N TE N T
To simplify a difficult biological process into an easy
to understand mathematically applicable concept is 
not an easy task to achieve.  However, the methodi-
cal and clear presentation and explanation of such 
difficult concepts makes this book, in my opinion, a 
unique publication. Descriptive explanations of the 
laws of kinematics on body deformations, such as: 
compression forces on the nucleus pulposus and the 
tensile stresses on the annulus fibrosus of the interver-
tebral discs, are clear examples of how such forces can 
mathematically explain deformities and consequent 
ailments when the state of “perfect elasticity” of the 
body can be breached.  It does this when it reaches 
the fatigue state beyond a certain value of the ‘elastic 
limit’.  The spelling of a few medical terms needs to be
revised.  This mars, to some extent, the completeness
of a polished work.

Q UA L I T Y  O F  I L LUSTR ATI O N S
Illustrations are in black & white and of moderate 
quality. At times this can hinder understanding of 
the message, especially when delicate structures are 
in question, such as cardiovascular and neural struc-
tures. Good quality coloured illustrations would have 
been an asset to the content of the book. Obviously, 
the publishing cost and consequently the book price 
would then have been increased.

C OMPL E TE N E S S  O F  C O N TE N T
The author manages to cover adequately certain as-
pects of disease processes that result in deformations. 
Examples are provided for the cervical spine, shoulder 



TH E  R O L E  O F  M AT H E M AT I C S  O N  H U M A N  S T R U C T U R E

95

joint, femur and hip joint. Detailed management of 
certain functional disorders can be ascertained math-
ematically and, therefore, mathematics can play a key 
role in solving those disorders. I reiterate that one of 
my main observations about this book is that it deals 
mainly with the role of mathematics in expressing body 
functions mainly, as described  in the above examples, 
and not body structures as the book title indicates.

O T H E R  C O M M E N T S

PA PE R  A N D  BI N D I N G  Q UA L I TI E S
The paper and binding qualities are a disappointment.
A work of this calibre should have been printed on 
good quality glossy paper. Also, a hardback and better 
binding qualities would have added value to the book. 
This would indeed influence, to some degree, the net
sale price of the book.