I would choose a good practical anatomist…to attend the sick and dissect the dead.

Abstract

Among the greats in the history of anatomy is the Scottish physician/anatomist William Hunter (1718-1783) (Fig. 1). Although his younger brother John has often overshadowed his works, these still demand attention for their accuracy and detail. Many of his specimens and dissections can still be seen at the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University. In 1769, he founded the Hunterian Medical School in London and was known for his teaching acumen (Fig. 2). Hunter said, “Were I to place a man of proper talents, in the most direct road for becoming truly great in his profession, I would choose a good practical anatomist and put him into a large hospital to attend the sick and dissect the dead.” This issue of Clinical Anatomy will certainly be of interest to the “good practical anatomist.” As the first issue of 2019, topics ranging from a better understanding of micturition to the proposal of a world day of recognition for cadaveric donors are included.