Anatomical Knowledge as Key – Hon.-Prof. Dr. Dirk Jentschura Enthralls at UMCH

On November 28, 2024, UMCH once again welcomed Hon.-Prof. Dr. med. Dirk Jentschura, who captivated the students with his ReachHigher lecture “Why it is Important to Learn Anatomy from Minute 1.” The former Chief Physician of the Clinic for General and Visceral Surgery at the Diakonissen-Stiftungs-Krankenhaus Speyer and, since early 2023, Medical Director of UMCH, emphatically highlighted the fundamental importance of anatomical knowledge for the medical profession in his presentation. Through a compelling combination of theory and practice, he demonstrated to the students why even experienced doctors can quickly reach their limits in the operating room without a solid understanding of anatomical structures. Dr. Jentschura illustrated this impressively with three videos from the operating room, showing, among other things, the removal of tumors and intestinal anastomosis. With these real insights, he emphasized how crucial it is to know exactly where organs, arteries, nerves, and veins are located in the body and how they are connected. Graphics and images in textbooks, he explained, give an impression of isolated structures, but once the human body is opened, everything appears much more complex and confusing. Comprehensive anatomical knowledge is required here to distinguish normal variants from tissue changes and to make the right decisions in the operating room. Particularly impressive was his explanation of intestinal anastomosis, where he guided the students step by step through the challenges and intricacies of this procedure. The videos from the operating room supported his arguments and made it clear why precise knowledge of the location and function of structures in the human body is indispensable for surgeons. “Those who do not learn anatomy from the beginning will understand in the operating room why this knowledge is essential,” emphasized Dr. Jentschura. The students were enthusiastic about the combination of well-founded medical facts and practical insights. “It is impressive how Dr. Jentschura shows us with his experience what really matters,” commented a student after the lecture. The lecture was not only a powerful reminder of the relevance of anatomical fundamentals but also an inspiring motivation for the next generation of doctors to dedicate themselves to this topic with commitment.