Anatomy in a Changing Field. Why it Still Matters.

From Memorization to Application

When I first began teaching, anatomy was often reduced to rote memorization: lists of muscles, nerves, vessels, disconnected from the realities of patient care. But that’s changing.

Today, anatomy is no longer taught in isolation. It’s integrated into clinical cases from the start. I ask my students questions like: “How would this humerus fracture affect hand function?” or “Why would a surgeon care about this small anatomical variation?” The goal is not just to learn names but to understand function and relevance.

Enatom: Connecting Anatomy with Practice

To support this shift, I use Enatom, a smart dissection platform that blends 3D models, annotated VR content, and 2D images. It helps students explore before they enter the dissection room. This way, class time becomes more interactive and focused on applying knowledge rather than discovering it for the first time.

One feature students particularly appreciate is the real-time chat support, which allows them to check structures and concepts as they work. It’s like having a mini-anatomist on standby.

Curiosity First

Anatomy, to me, is not about memorization, it’s about curiosity. I know a class is successful when students begin asking deeper questions: “Could this nerve variation explain symptoms in some patients?” “What happens when this structure fails?”

One student recently noticed a rare course of the sciatic nerve. That single observation sparked a rich discussion on clinical symptoms that wouldn’t show up on a scan. That’s what anatomy can do, it bridges textbook knowledge with real-life uncertainty.

Continuing Vesalius’ Legacy

Vesalius taught us that true understanding begins at the source, the body itself. My role, centuries later, is to keep that tradition alive, using modern tools to help students not only know anatomy, but truly understand why it matters in medicine.

Let’s keep looking deeper.

Yourik van Overloop