title: What is anatomy for? Considerations on the body as a whole and whole anatomy.
abstract: In anatomy today, construction of the body is devoid of the water element, and the framework of the discipline is sectionalized (segmented, specialized, and divided), so that the body is not described in an integrated, harmonious manner. In this paper, the present authors selected the body, body water, and skin as objects of contemplation and deliberated on the history, significance, and resuscitation of anatomy. (1) Living things are dependent on water, and water is a vital component of the body. Therefore, greater consideration should be given to the presence of body water in morphological description of the body. (2) Since anatomy is sectionalized, understanding of the body is dwarfed and distorted. Whole anatomy, which described the body as a whole is the ideal style. (3) The body as a whole should always be placed in the center of anatomy. This should be the ultimate form of teaching anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wakuri
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education* / Q000266:history; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001834:Body Water / Q000502:physiology*; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D049711:History, Modern 1601-; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013663:Teaching