A satisfactory knowledge of topographical anatomy is one of the key foundations of safe and effective medical practice. Existing curriculum guidelines in the UK and Ireland from bodies including the General Medical Council, the Medical Council of Ireland and Scottish Doctors do not provide detailed guidance on curriculum content in respect of individual subjects. This paper describes a core syllabus in anatomy developed by the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland detailing the level of knowledge that we believe should be the minimum expected of a recently-qualified medical graduate in the UK and Ireland about to embark upon their two year Foundation training.