Editorial
Editorial : Anatomical Sciences : The Cradle of Medicine
Editorial
Authors :
Inaya Hajj-Hussein , Angelo Leone , Abdo Jurjus
Institutions :
Inaya Hajj-Hussein Oakland University , William Beaumont School of Medicine , Department of Foundational Medical Studies , MI , USA
Angelo Leone University of Palermo , Institute of Human Anatomy and Histology , Palermo , Italy
Abdo Jurjus American University of Beirut , School of Medicine , Department of Anatomy , Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences , Beirut , Lebanon
Contact Information :
Abdo jurjus Department of Anatomy , Cell Biology & Physiology Faculty of Medicine American University of Beirut P . O . Box 110236 / 41 Riad El Solh , Beirut 1107- 2020 Beirut , Lebanon Tel : 009611350000 Ext . 4785 Mobile : 009613308716 Fax : 009611480687 Email : aj00 @ aub . edu . lb
Editorial : Anatomical Sciences : The Cradle of Medicine
Anatomy , the oldest of medical sciences , is concerned with the structural organization of the human body . For many centuries , the dissection and descriptions of human cadavers have served as the basic , primary , first hand , source of normal anatomical knowledge along with anatomical variations and even sometimes anatomical pathologies encountered during dissection .
As a scientific field of inquiry , human anatomy has had a long , rich and frequently troubled heritage . Its history parallels that of medicine . Besides , the present state of anatomical sciences education could be a reason for concern due to reduction in time devoted as a result of the escalating discrepancy between the rapidly expanding knowledge base in medical sciences and the relatively fixed time period for the medical curriculum . Anatomy suffered the most in such adaptive adjustments , which were painful and frequently included the omission of key components of anatomy teaching such as the dissection course . The Global Community of Anatomical Science Educators ( GCASE ) still considers Anatomy as the very basis of medicine . The GCASE is certainly not alone in advocating anatomy courses of appropriate content and concept , and in encouraging medical educators to re-establish a higher priority for anatomy . In the interest of improving patient care , we , in GCASE , believe that anatomy is essential . It should be learned sufficiently so students are confident and skilled before entering a clinical whereby patients are safe and trust the expertise of the health professional . As an applied science , anatomy provides the foundation for understanding physical performance and body health . Evidence indicates that a good knowledge of anatomy was of survival value in prehistoric times and at all times thereafter . For over 3000 years B . C . and up to these days , anatomy provides the essential core of health sciences including medicine and paramedical education .
For more than four decades and throughout our careers in teaching anatomy to medical and health science students , we have observed and reported anatomical variations that were of great relevance to clinical practice , in terms of diagnosis and treatment . Besides , we find human anatomical variations to be a source of great interest because they also provide insight into individual development . It is frequently suggested to consider variations to be normal and , thus , must be anticipated and understood . Anatomical descriptions repeatedly stated in textbooks are accurate and hold only about 70 % of individuals . We have often observed some