The special exhibition "77 Years of Anatomy: The Past, Present, and Future of Anatomy at SNU" is a collaborative effort between the Seoul National University Hospital Museum of Medicine and the Department of Anatomy at Seoul National University College of Medicine. The exhibition commemorates the seventy-seventh anniversary of the Department of Anatomy and showcases the history, development, and current state of anatomy education in Korea. The opening event for the exhibition took place on Friday, June 16, at 4 p.m. in the first meeting room of Daehanuiwon Hospital, also known as the Museum of Medicine. The exhibition will continue for over five months, concluding on Saturday, November 18.
Background: The Department of Anatomy at Seoul National University College of Medicine has been actively contributing to the Museum of Medicine by donating old anatomy textbooks, laboratory tools, equipment, and related materials used in the classroom. This year, they organized the special exhibition with a focus on these donated items. Professor Dong Hoon Shin, from the Department of Anatomy, served as the organizing committee chairman, and Professor Dong Hyun Jo, also from the Department of Anatomy, acted as the medical director.
The exhibition provides insights into the development of anatomy education in Korea. After the liberation of Korea in 1945, there were only a few professors capable of teaching anatomy in the country. The members of the Department of Anatomy at Seoul National University College of Medicine worked diligently to develop an education model suitable for the Korean environment and improve the practice environment. Their efforts included the creation of Korean anatomy textbooks and the complete revision of existing textbooks, which were previously written in a combination of Korean, English, Latin, German, and Japanese.
Visitors to the exhibition can explore various exhibits that highlight the progress of anatomy education in Korea. For example, one exhibit showcases the 1952 Seoul National University anatomy textbook, which was painstakingly written, drawn, and photographed using a steel pen on carbon paper. Another exhibit features a set of histology specimens used for practical purposes after the Korean War.
The exhibition goes beyond education and also delves into other aspects related to anatomy, such as anatomy practice, which is a fundamental part of anatomy education and an important milestone for aspiring doctors. It also introduces the anatomy practical examination known as "TTangsi(땡시)." Additionally, the exhibition presents the work of anatomy professors, their latest research topics, and the cutting-edge research techniques they employ. This aspect aims to showcase not only the education of medical students through cadaver dissection but also the academic endeavors of physician-scientists within the field of anatomy.
Overall, the exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive view of the history, progress, and future directions of anatomy education in Korea, while also highlighting the contributions and achievements of the Department of Anatomy at Seoul National University College of Medicine.