Philosophical Heritage
"I profess both to learn and to teach anatomy, not from books but from dissections; not from positions of philosophers but from the fabric of nature."

- William Harvey 1578-1657

Nature's Design
Anatomy is the underlying structure, and like any building is constructed with a certain consistency and a tolerance for minor variations. A range of normal exists and a range of abnormal (pathologic). Nature has made the design decision, tested it, re-worked the flaws and determined the acceptable construct. But design is not always perfectly executed, and errors emerge. The basic building of nature is subjected to the wear and tear of time, and is persuaded by the forces of daily life into accommodation. Within these dynamic mechanical swings, the building withstands the challenge, or weakens slightly or collapses on its foundation. The surgeon's work can never be as perfect as nature's, but patching up the building can leave it standing and functional. The seven wonders of the world are all man made: the greatest wonder is not.