Book excerpt: A comprehensive text of basic anatomy for surgeons in training. The basic sciences have always played an essential role in the training of doctors. In the professional education of young surgeons, anatomy remains an enormously important subject. Although surgical training in the United Kingdom is currently undergoing a radical change, the basic sciences elements of the postgraduate clinical training must be retained. This book therefore has been written primarily to cover the fundamentals of applied anatomy relevant to the surgical training programme. Whilst 'Applied Surgical Anatomy' is intended primarily for surgeons, it is hoped that it will also be useful for those taking professional examinations in other aspect of medicine.