Surgical Anatomy

Surgical Anatomy is not "anatomy for surgeons". As a subdiscipline of Clinical Anatomy, it benefits from a narrowed purpose and finer details. Surgical Anatomy is regional, individualised and dynamic. It emphasises relationships between structures and how they change over time.

Where Clinical Anatomy very importantly includes foundational, systems-based and conceptual information readily applicable to clinical practice, Surgical Anatomy builds upon that core and general knowledge to become specialty-specific. By its nature it is therefore much more variable over time, with new research and applications constantly shifting the understanding and importance of given structures, relations and functions. It is not something that can be learned once; it requires, or demands, regular attention and updates. 

Surgical Anatomy is already at the core of what surgeons, radiologists, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, specialty therapists and other clinicians, engineers and industry specialists use everyday. Anatomy used and discussed in clinical practice can often feel out-of-touch or distanced from the anatomy learnt during primary clinical training. It should, because it is quite different. That essential foundational learning got you where you are, but contemporary Surgical Anatomy learning helps you refine your practice. It may help explain more clearly what you see in your patients and give you a more advanced set of anatomical tools to guide your thoughts and discussions. 

Surgical Anatomy is current, exciting and constantly changing.