The role of jokes in the teaching of anatomy

Abstract

Anatomy as it is known today has a wider scope than mere "cutting up". It is the foundation of the whole art of medicine, and it introduces the student to most of the medical terminologies including medical jokes. Anatomy is vast and the founding fathers of anatomy were versatile. Since anatomy is the foundation of medicine, anatomists have to be at the fore front of medical education. Anatomists have to make the teaching of anatomy lively. They have to make the knowledge of anatomy relevant in clinical practice, sports, social life etc. Anatomists have to continue to widen the horizons of anatomy in these days of molecular biology. Anatomy is very interesting. However, it is voluminous and may be volatile. When you stop studying it, it leaves you. It does not waste time on those who do not have time for it. You have to bear with it. It is the foundation of medicine. Medical education is dynamic. Even if we have been teaching anatomy for over a quarter of a century we will continue to learn how to teach our students in better ways. Since our students have come from various backgrounds, we have to try various teaching methods and choose the ideal one for each group of students. Well selected relevant jokes help the students to relax in class, and to retain and recall what they are taught. Jokes help to make anatomy ridiculously easy. Jokes help to make the learning of anatomy a fun.