Anatomy and Physiology

Biography

Biography: John Sharkey

Abstract

Bespoke dissections with a Biotensegrity focus are providing a new vision and understanding of the continuity of human form. John Sharkey’s fresh new look at human connective tissue highlights its role in providing continuous tension throughout its network. Biotensegrity is emerging as the most significant development in human anatomy in recent years. This presentation identifies important ramifications for a wide range of medical practitioners including surgeons, bio-engineers and human movement specialists. The term “Tensegrity” was coined by Buckminster Fuller combining the words ‘tension’ and ‘integrity’. Fuller’s student Kenneth Snelson built the first floating compression structure of “tensegrity” in 1949 while Dr Stephen Levin an orthopedic surgeon was the protagonist of “BioTensegrity” in the early 1970’s. As a Clinical Anatomist, he has investigated this model and the role of fascia in his dissections to better understand the mechanisms of human movement and chronic pain while providing new anatomical knowledge and awareness leading to less invasive surgical and non-surgical therapeutic interventions. In this short presentation Clinical Anatomist John Sharkey puts forward an argument for a new focus in medical education concerningthe continuity of human form in the study of anatomy and calls for a change in the Anatomic nomenclature from “soft tissue” to “soft matter”.