{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Surgical illustration: the role, the reason, and the route. {Author}: Suwanprinya C; {Journal}: J Vis Commun Med {Volume}: 46 {Issue}: 4 {Year}: 2023 Oct 22 暂无{DOI}: 10.1080/17453054.2024.2331004 {Abstract}: Surgical illustration plays a fundamental role in the surgical field, being able to convey imagery in a more comprehensive way. However, its utility has seen a decline and being slowly replaced by photographs and 3D models. Surgeons are in a unique position that is optimum for producing surgical illustrations due to having direct contact and possesses a deep knowledge of the subject being drawn. The process of producing an illustration may also be valuable to the long-term conceptual understanding of that surgeon. This article aims to highlight the field of surgical illustration, its future potential, and act as a guide for surgeons to start illustrating.