An early chick embryo as learning model for study of embryology

Abstract

Abstract Background: In medical education, learning happens by variety of perceptions. In basic science Anatomy, visualization of real structures gives rich learning experience. This type seems deficient in human embryology, that too in the early phases. Aim: With the basic concept of'ontogeny repeats phylogeny', for the enrichment of learning early embryology, chick embryos have been used. Materials and methods: 30 commercially available chicken eggs and 30 Gallus domesticus [country chicken] eggs collected from nearby villages were hatched for embryos to whole mount, fix and stain. Results: Successful hatching rates were more in favour of Gallus domesticus eggs [76%] compared to others [26%] Conclusion: This experiment guides the easiest and simplest possible ways to successfully establish the learning module for early embryology in departmental setup using Gallus domesticus eggs. Observation of brain swellings, heart swelling optic vesicle, nasal pit, pharyngeal clefts, neural tube, somites and limb buds, vitelline vessels provide valuable learning experience by direct interaction with the real environment. This bridges the gap of seeing what is not usually observed and strengthens educational embryology