Reclaiming Anatomy as Method: From Morphological Reasoning to Clinical Relevance

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Anatomical Sciences
• Morphology

Background:

• Molecular biology and omics technologies dominate current research.
• Anatomical sciences, focusing on form and structure, are often perceived as obsolete.
• There is an institutional tension between molecular approaches and traditional morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue for the strategic reinvention of anatomy as a core scientific method.
• To demonstrate the essential role of morphological thinking in understanding biological systems.
• To propose integrating anatomy with emerging technologies for biomedical innovation.

Main Methods:

• Historical perspectives and epistemological analysis.
• Review of recent advances in imaging and integrative methodologies.
• Case study of the Italian academic system to highlight institutional disconnects.

Main Results:

• Morphological thinking provides integrative insights not obtainable from molecular data alone.
• Anatomy drives hypothesis generation, biomedical innovation, and clinical decision-making.
• Metric-driven evaluation frameworks exacerbate the disconnect between anatomical teaching and research.

Conclusions:

• Anatomy is a crucial way of seeing and reasoning, essential for navigating biological complexity.
• Reinventing anatomy involves embedding morphology within spatial biology, high-resolution imaging, and AI.
• Reclaiming anatomy as a methodological compass is key for clinical translation and biomedical progress.