Clinical Anatomy Series – Cardiac Anatomy

The necessity for an appreciation of human anatomy has been integral to medical teaching for hundreds of years. Today, it still remains an integral component of the undergraduate curriculum, but with opinions being voiced over the adequacy of this teaching, and Royal Colleges noting a reduction in the anatomy knowledge base of applicants, this is clearly an area of concern. Indeed, there was a sevenfold increase in the number of medical claims made due to deficiencies in anatomy knowledge between 1995 and 2007. Therefore, not only does a greater understanding of anatomical principles bring advantages to clinical practice, but also, it can make individuals stand out interview. This series of articles sets out to explore key anatomical structures placed in their clinical context, starting with cardiac anatomy.