title: History of teaching anatomy in India: from ancient to modern times.
abstract: Safe clinical practice is based on a sound knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. Thus, knowledge of anatomy has been an essential tool in the practice of healthcare throughout the ages. The history of anatomy in India traces from the Paleolithic Age to the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic Times, the Islamic Dynasties, the modern Colonial Period, and finally to Independent India. The course of the study of anatomy, despite accompanying controversies and periods of latencies, has been fascinating. This review takes the reader through various periods of Indian medicine and the role of anatomy in the field of medical practice. It also provides a peek into the modern system of pedagogy in anatomical sciences in India.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Tony George
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education* / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D010151:Paintings; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000266:history; D013663:Teaching / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends
keywords: Ayurvedic medicine; Greek medicine; Indian culture; Indus Valley civilization; Siddha medicine; Unani medicine; allopathic medicine; gross anatomy dissection; history of anatomy; specialist anatomy; traditional medicine