The Way They Do It: Embryology Teaching in US Medical Schools

Abstract

A survey of departments of anatomy in US medical schools shows that, of the 66 per cent responding, most (60 per cent) teach embryology integrated with other anatomical disciplines, although a large minority (35 per cent) teach an independent course, and a few (five per cent) teach an elective only. Time allotted to embryology teaching averages 23 hours, but this varies widely from a minimum of six to a maximum of 48 hours. The main content of most courses is development of the normal fetus. However, clinical aspects of embryology, particularly congenital malformations, are taught in all but one of the institutions responding.