Beyond Registration: Continuity and Anatomical Heritage in the Veterinary Anatomical Museum of Madrid

Anatomical museums face growing challenges in maintaining their educational relevance, institutional visibility, and scientific identity. While many historical collections survive as heritage assets, fewer remain integrated into active teaching and research environments. The Veterinary Anatomical Museum of Madrid (VAMM) is a distinctive example among university anatomical collections because it combines documented historical continuity since 1792 with sustained educational, scientific, conservation, and outreach activities. This commentary argues that continuity itself constitutes a form of anatomical heritage. Using the Madrid collection as a case study, we examine how historical collections, plastinated specimens, congenital malformations collections, digital resources, educational innovations, and public engagement can coexist within a single institutional framework. Particular attention is given to the fact that, despite its documented continuity and active museological functions, the collection is not formally recognized as a museum within the institutional structure of Complutense University of Madrid. We propose the concept of the Living Anatomical Museum as an interpretative framework through which historical collections and contemporary anatomical practices interact to preserve existing heritage while simultaneously generating new anatomical heritage for future generations. Although the proposed framework remains conceptual, it offers opportunities for future evaluation of the educational, scientific, and societal contributions of anatomical collections within contemporary universities. The Madrid experience suggests that the long-term preservation of anatomical heritage depends not only on conserving specimens but also on sustaining the academic practices that give them meaning.