The history of anatomical engagement

Wessels, Quenton and Taylor, Adam M. (2025) The history of anatomical engagement. Anatomical Sciences Education. ISSN 1935-9772

Abstract

The public's fascination with anatomy has evolved over time and progressed from avoidance of the tainted yet saintly corpse, to their fascination with cabinets of curiosities. The current narrative review explores public engagement (PE), from its potential origins as cave paintings, to the rise of the disciplinarity of anatomy. Historical insights show how the public engaged in anatomy and with anatomy evolved alongside educational trends and advances ethics. Teaching modalities have shifted as resources have fallen out of favor, become unappealing, illegal or logistically challenging to deliver. Historical changes have resulted in newer approaches coming into the limelight, often moving from the anatomy classroom into the public eye. The public's curiosity with anatomy was satisfied through the organized violence of vivisections and dissections, cabinets of curiosity and permanent museums. Today, the driver of PE is research, education and motivation for learning in the hope of improving people's understanding of their bodies. PE has shifted from spectacles to active participation and collaboration. Looking forward, the authors also propose an adaptive interdisciplinary model for PE in anatomy.