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In anatomy, normality embraces a range of morphologies and includes those that are most common and others called variations which are less frequent but not considered abnormal. Variations ranging from subtle to remarkable affect every part of the human body. They may have important influences on predisposition to illness, symptomatology, clinical examination and investigation, and patient management including operative surgery. Recognition of variations enables clinicians to distinguish features which merit further investigation or treatment from those which do not. We believe the concepts of normality and variation should be introduced early in the medical course and that the dissecting laboratory is the ideal venue. Students who are able to examine several specimens or are privileged to dissect soon realize that each cadaver is unique. Knowledge of variations should be reinforced in several components of the medical course where physical examination, imaging investigations, surgical procedures, and autopsies are studied. Appreciation of the range of normality including variations matures as experience is gained over several years. Current trends in undergraduate courses--including reduced exposure to dissection and dissected specimens, increased use of plastic bones, models and computer-generated images, loss of experienced teachers, especially those who are medically qualified, and loss of morphological approach-- all conspire to defer the stage when students encounter variation. We are concerned that these trends will compromise the knowledge and understanding of variation required to start practicing medicine safely and competently.

This study was undertaken to document the popularity of appointments as temporary lecturer in anatomy (TLA) at the University of Manchester during the period 1991–1998, and to profile the applicants for the posts. Data concerning 465 applicants were collated from departmental records and application forms. Prior to 1996, there were about seven applicants per post and most were men who intended to pursue surgical careers. The mean age of the applicants was 26 years, range 22–61 years. Graduates of Manchester University formed 28% of applicants, non‐UK graduates 11%, and 52% possessed qualifications additional to their medical degrees. After 1996, there were fewer applicants, about three per post, who were somewhat older, mean age 30 years, range 21–52 years, and from more diverse backgrounds; 40% were non‐UK graduates. The probable reasons for the decline in popularity of the appointments are explored. Clin. Anat. 12:272–276, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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