May 2010
For the next course we will be "on tour" at St Georges Medical School, London on 16th and 17th September, 2010. The "old" St Georges was, of course, the place where Henry Gray and Robert Lee did their great work in the nineteenth century.  Again, the course is directed at consultant colleagues though we will keep six of the 24 places for senior trainees.  Full details are available on www.bristolanatomycourse.blogspot.com.  Apply to anatomycourse@btinternet.com  to secure your place. Places are reserved strictly on a "first come, first served" basis. Course fee remains at £495.  

February 2010
The peer reviewed account of "Autonomic denervation and the origins of chronic Western diseases" is now published.  It provides reasons for DP Burkitt's observations in the 1960-70's with respect to the epidemiology of Western diseases, and, differences in transit time and daily stool weights between Africans and Europeans.  This abbreviated form of the paper offers a mechanism for these observations through injuries to branches of the three great plexi of the ANS; the cardiac (thorax), coeliac (abdomen) and hypogastric (pelvis).  See right panel for reminders of their anatomy on www.bartleby.com 

November 2009
To receive further information about courses in 2010   contact the course organiser at anatomycourse@btinternet.com  The anatomy of the lower genital tract and its disruption by vaginal delivery are important topics on the course.  Injuries result in anatomical "deficits" or "defects" (in the USA).  At present we know about vaginal defects that give rise to prolapse and incontinence.  It is clear there are also levator, uterosacral, neurological and vascular "defects" that contribute to many gynaecological symptoms.  In the left panel there are examples of levator defects (x4) - see below for physical findings. See July newsletter for illustrations of the range of uterosacral and levator defects

October 2009
At different places on the website you will find new, peer reviewed explanations of endometriosis, fibroids and adenomyosis, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, and chronic Western diseases. The gynaecological matters relating to the causes of adenomyosis, endometriosis, are published as peer reviewed items in AJOG and the red journal.  A clear understanding of the mechanisms of symptoms in endometriosis may reassure you considerably in terms of its day-to-day management. 

LEVATOR "DEFECTS" in the left column of the browser are all taken at the level of the proximal urethra.  They demonstrate:
(a) Normal levator ani
(b) Avulsion of pubic origin of R levator defect        (LAd 1)
(c) Avulsion of obturator origins of both levator ani (LAd 2)
(d) Denervation of levator ani with LAd 1 and LAd 2 (LAd 3)
See "Levator injuries in chronic pelvic pain" J Obstet Gynaecol, 2008 for full descriptions.