Anatomy serves as one of the fundamental pillars of medical education, providing students with essential knowledge about the structure of the human body that underpins clinical reasoning and decision-making. However, traditional approaches to teaching anatomy often isolate it from clinical application, leading to fragmented learning experiences and difficulties in knowledge transfer. As medical education evolves toward competency-based and patient-centered models, there is a growing need to bridge the gap between basic sciences and clinical disciplines through more integrative teaching strategies.

Integrative approaches aim to connect anatomical knowledge with real-life clinical scenarios, thereby enhancing students’ ability to apply theoretical concepts in practical settings. By linking anatomy to pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatment processes, students gain a more coherent understanding of the relevance and utility of what they learn. Numerous studies have demonstrated that such integration improves retention, clinical reasoning, and long-term knowledge consolidation.

At the same time, the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery and the demand for multidisciplinary collaboration necessitate a rethinking of how anatomy is taught. Promoting horizontal and vertical integration across the curriculum can help students develop critical thinking skills and better prepare for clinical rotations and future professional practice. This paper explores the implementation of integrative approaches to anatomy education, highlighting their impact on learning outcomes, clinical preparedness, and overall educational quality.

Anatomy education; clinical integration; integrative learning; interdisciplinary teaching; medical curriculum; horizontal and vertical integration; medical education reform

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