A clinical anatomy curriculum for the medical student of the 21st century:Developmental anatomy

An understanding of human developmental anatomy provides a fundamental fram ework for the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of patients with cong enital clinical entities, a significant population of any medical practice. Therefore, the regard afforded the study of developmental anatomy in the m edical curriculum deserves thoughtful attention. In an effort to provide gu idance in designing an undergraduate medical curriculum that properly addre sses developmental anatomy, the Educational Affairs Committee of the Americ an Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA) developed this clinical anatom y curriculum in developmental anatomy. It outlines the subject matter and p rinciples that will not only allow the physician to recognize and treat con genital diseases, but will also provide a solid basis for the incorporation of future discoveries, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of molec ular developmental anatomy. The AACA seeks to ensure that all medical stude nts receive thorough training in developmental anatomy and that each studen t, regardless of the institution attended, will be exposed to a curriculum that will provide the necessary competence and confidence for the effective practice of medicine in the 21st century. Clin. Anat. 13:17-35, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.