I am currently researching embryology, and am fascinated by it. However I keep finding comments from medical students about how little significance embryology has in the anatomical curriculum. However for the broader anatomical curriculum, I think it is very important and quite honestly understanding embryology has improved my anatomical knowledge. Surely the importance of embryology in the anatomical curriculum will help us better understand what is normal and what is not, understand better birth defects, allow for intervention, identify disease and also allow for future research in the field of stem cell therapy and also other treatments e.g IVF and so much more. It would be fantastic to hear from those who have experience in this field and share your views on the importance of embryology in the human anatomical curriculum.
How many of you have relied on your anatomical knowledge for research relevant to embryology. warm wishes Sandie
anatomy deals with structure of human body. it is important to understand
embryology, as it describes the early life of a human being as well as other livings.
Callixte
I taught obstetrics and gynecology to many students over the years. The vast majority of future doctors prepare themselves for a career where they will diagnose diseases and administer remedies. Therefore, I would not be surprised to hear a student contesting the place of embryology in the curriculum.
Very little energy is spent by most of them on understanding how does the human machinery work. However, that makes the difference between an average doctor and an excellent one. I am not aware of any professional who repairs machinery without understanding how that works.
Perhaps it is, at least in part, our fault: when teaching about disease should we not connect more often signs and symptoms or medical imaging findings with their pathophysiology?
The knowledge of embryology has many practical benefits, which you listed above. I feel that we should highlight to our students the instances where it helps in medical practice, each and every time we encounter one.
And for those inquisitive minds among them, what about opening a window on Haeckel's concept that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny?
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