Anatomy Arena: Dr. Sumithra M

I am an Assistant Professor.

When selecting subjects for my postgraduate entrance exam, I focused solely on three: Surgery, Forensic Medicine, and Anatomy. Fortunately, I was placed in Anatomy. The subject didn't intimidate me or cause any discomfort. I studied thoroughly and calmly, enjoying the material without any stress.

Most of the bones in the body are long bones, making their study quite expected. However, the wrist-forming bones, known as carpal bones, along with their intricate structures and exquisite arrangement to form the wrist, are truly astonishing. Likewise, the human skull and the foramina situated in its base consistently provide a sense of wonder.

It has to be the vertebrae since the three categories of vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) in the human body are organized in a remarkably elegant and orderly fashion, each exhibiting distinct characteristics. This arrangement facilitates studying them.

Let me share my favorite tale regarding muscles first, as my initial research paper focused on muscle variations. This topic truly fascinates me. Now, I’ll mention the aspect I dislike about muscles: I often struggle to identify the muscle planes during dissection. Muscles sometimes stick together.

To be honest, no system has ever made it difficult for me to study. Gross anatomy is always a nice subject.

The topic that was easiest for me in gross anatomy was Neuroanatomy. It always brings a sense of clarity.

The easiest for me to study was the fifth cranial nerve.

The most difficult were the second, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth cranial nerves.

When I was preparing for my master's degree exam, I took an Embryology book and started studying it first. This book, written by Dr. Dutta, was very helpful and had clear explanations. This book gave me all the help I needed to go into the exam with a lot of courage and confidence.

This is a question that deserves a good answer. As I have been teaching MBBS students, I have read their textbooks that they can follow. However, I have been reading and am still reading the best book in the world, Gray’s Anatomy. I am a young woman starting this profession, so I am not the right person to comment on the work of others. I want to do good work in their path, so I cannot say that I liked or disliked any of the anatomy books. As part of my journey, I hope to publish a quality anatomy book with new data for students. Without a doubt, I will work hard to achieve that.

One of the best things about anatomy is dissecting. I have taught MBBS students by dissecting four bodies completely so far. My colleagues tell me that I dissect very slowly. The reason is that I want to expose all the structures as much as possible. So, it gives me complete satisfaction. One day, I stood for over six hours, at most, for a complete head and neck dissection.

There were some good experiences and some bad experiences, but they helped me improve my life and study well.

All of the disciplines we study as doctors, not just anatomy, undoubtedly increase our admiration in some manner. In terms of our discipline of anatomy, we ought to honour those who have the will and want to donate their bodies for the study of others, even after they pass away.

As far as anatomy is concerned, all the systems and structures are amazing. But what amazes me is how someone can draw the parts of a human body so perfectly and accurately. A million thanks to Mr. Netter. Thanks for giving a wonderful book, Netter’s Atlas of Anatomy, to the world.

I will never forget the time in my postgraduate university exam when the external examiner came to me and said, "You are the only one who answered this question very well."

Undoubtedly, SURGERY SURGERY SURGERY....

"A simple, ordinary woman."