Exploring the evolution of anatomy: From historical foundations to modern insights

Abstract

Analyzing the structures of living specimens has always been an interest for human beings. Anatomy is one of the most important pillars of medicine, and its name comes from the Greek word anatomē which means to cut. The extended and rich history of anatomy is a reminder for modern generations about the value of the work of all the previous physicians, philosophers, and researchers and appreciation of the impact they have made in this field. Considering the importance and the role of anatomy as a pillar of medicine, every small step into establishing knowledge about the anatomical structures and their variations is crucial in developing science. Nowadays, the pace of both general scientific development and anatomical research itself is greater than ever before. Researchers, in their daily practices, mostly focus on three main types of articles published in the field of anatomy: (1) Case Reports, (2) Original Studies, and (3) Synthesis Studies. In the present article, the authors provide the brief history of human anatomy, and emphasize about the significance of this scientific discipline. The possible future shape of anatomical research and education is also discussed.