Anatomy Laboratory Research Articles

Determinants of cadaver acquisition at Human Anatomy Learning Institutions in Kenya

Background: Human anatomy instruction in Kenya is based on dissection of cadavers during practical sessions. Institutions get these cadavers using procedures available to them. However, the processes used are not standardized, and several problems are likely to develop during the cadaver acquisition process. Several factors appear to have an impact on the source, availability, and cadaver collection techniques. Some of the issues affecting cadaver acquisition may not be sufficiently addressed by current anatomy practice guidelines. This study evaluated the determinants of cadaver acquisition at human anatomy learning institutions in Kenya.
 Methodology: Anatomists and anatomy laboratory personnel handling cadavers in Kenya were interviewed for the study. A cross-sectional study design was used, as well as a purposive sampling strategy. The self-administered surveys were completed by 68 study participants. The data was tallied, loaded into SPSS version 26 for analysis, then plotted into graphs and tables for interpretation.
 Results: Cadavers were mostly acquired from unclaimed bodies (100%). In most situations (80.9%), anatomy laboratory technicians oversee cadaver collection. A cadaver acquisition delay of more than two weeks was reported by 80.88% of respondents. According to 44.12% of respondents, the biggest reason for cadaver collecting delays was the need for financial compensation. Most cadavers (98.5%) are obtained through lobbying at the source. According to 92.6% of responders, defaced or damaged cadavers are mostly rejected. According to 94.2% of respondents, the Kenya Anatomy Act has no instructions on how to obtain cadavers.
 Conclusion: The efficiency of cadaver acquisition is affected by several factors that affect both the procedure and the people in charge of procuring the cadavers. Institutions in Kenya lack a comprehensive cadaver acquisition policy that describes the procedure and personnel in charge of procuring cadavers. There is no specified documented protocol or guideline for cadaver acquisition in the Kenya anatomy act.

First patient project: Engaging pathology through the donor dissection experience and its role in professionalism.

The peer-reviewed anatomical education literature thoroughly describes the benefits and drawbacks of donor dissection. Gross anatomy laboratory environments utilizing donor dissection are generally considered to be a premier environment where students foster non-traditional discipline-independent skills (NTDIS), including the acquisition of professionalism, empathy, resilience, emotional intelligence, and situational awareness. Therefore, this IRB-approved study explored the impact of a formal humanism and pathology thread, the first patient project (FPP), on the personal and professional development of pre-professional undergraduate students in a gross anatomy dissection-based course. Five reflections from each student were collected across four cohorts (n = 74 students, 370 reflections). A post-course questionnaire collected data on student perceptions of the project. The framework method was used to analyze reflection and free response data and descriptive statistics were performed on Likert-style items using Excel. Three themes were identified to encompass the impacts of the FPP on professional development and include: Socialization (through collective dissection experience and pathology), Humanistic Qualities (respect for the donor and their history, and introspection), and Content and Skills (technical and NTDIS, anatomical knowledge). The end of course FPP survey was completed by 29 students across three cohorts (65%) and their perspectives were generally favorable regarding the promotion of respect, empathy, and humanization of their donors. This study underscores the value of incorporating humanism, pathology, and reflection, facilitated through formal curriculum for pre-professional undergraduate students. It provides evidence of the positive impact on their personal and professional development, supporting the integration of NTDIS in curricula across various disciplines.

The effect of game-based education on learning in the anatomy laboratory

Amaç: Bu çalışma, anatomi dersi alan öğrencilerin anatomi uygulama laboratuvarında oyun temelli eğitimin öğrenme üzerine etkisi incelenmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yöntem: Yarı deneysel yöntemlerden biri olan ‘pre-post test eşlemiş grup modeli’ tipte olan bu çalışma bir üniversitenin Sağlık bilimler Fakültesi 2020-2021 öğretim yılı güz döneminde hemşirelik birinci sınıf öğrencilerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmayı deney grubunda 33 kontrol grubunda 34 olmak üzere toplam 67 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Çalışma verilerini toplamak amacı ile Katılımcı Bilgi Formu, Üreme Sistemine İlişkin Bilgi Formu ve Anatomi Eğitimine İlişkin Öğrenci Geribildirim Anketi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Katılımcıların hepsi anatomi dersi öğrencileri olup yaş ortalaması 19.29±1.03, %94 klasik lise, %6 sağlık meslek lisesi mezunu, %68.7 kadın, %31.3 erkektir. Deney grubunda bulunan öğrencilerin meslek seçimi, anatomi dersini severek çalışma durumu, anatomi teorik ders saatleri yeterlilik durumu, anatomi uygulama derslerinde oyunlaştırılmalı eğitim ve anatomi uygulama dersleri oyunla öğretilmesi uygunluğu istatistiksel olarak anlamlı saptanmıştır. Anatomi teorik bilgi düzeyi ön test- son test toplam puanları arasında anlamlı bir fark olduğu ve deney grubunun bilgi düzeyi daha fazla arttığı saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Bu çalışma sonucunda anatomi dersini oyun temelli eğitim sayesinde öğrenme üzerine olumlu katkısı olduğu ortaya konmuştur.

Anatomics comparative aspects of head bones of domestic animals and adult human

Among the anatomical structures that make up the body of individuals, there are the bones of the head (skull and face) belonging to the axial skeleton, resulting from the union of even and odd bone structures that form a rigid box, which supports and protects part of the central nervous system. Due to the functional importance of the head, this study aimed to describe the bones of this region of some domestic animals, including canines, horses and bovines, as well as humans, and also emphasize the structural similarities and locations in these different adult species. For this, photographic records were made for further descriptions of anatomical bone pieces from the collection of the Human and Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory of the University of Franca. The results were expressed descriptively, following the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. Regardless of the species, all presented bones incisor, nasal, maxillary, lacrimal, zygomatic, frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, palatine, vomer, pterygoid and sphenoid bones, however, with varied sizes and shapes. Given the recommended methodology and the data obtained, it is possible to infer that the anatomical morphological distinctions between head bones of canine, equine, bovine and human are directly related to the functional, evolutionary, adaptive and postural aspects of each species.

Endoscopic Multiportal Approaches to Meckel's Cave: A Cadaveric Study and a Three-Dimensional Anatomical Video.

Objective This cadaveric study aims to illustrate the lateral transorbital (LTO), transantral transpterygoid (TATP), and endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) to Meckel's cave (MC), defining their surgical freedom, area of exposure, and advantages and limitations; thus, refining their respective indications. Design Cadaveric study. Setting The Anatomical Laboratory for Visuospatial Innovations in Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery (ALT-VISION) at the Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center. Participants Bilateral dissections of five injected cadavers (10 sides). Main Outcome Measures Distance to targets, surgical freedom, and area of exposure provided by the EEA, TATP, and LTO approaches. Results The TATP approach provides superior surgical freedom to foramen rotundum (167.70 ± 29.762 mm). However, surgical freedom to foramen ovale was best when using the LTO approach (75.01 ± 15.773 mm). The EEA provides a superior exposure of the medial MC (mean area of 587.69 ± 38.59 mm 2 ). The LTO and TATP approaches provide equivalent access to the lateral MC (ranging from 468.90 ± 26.98 mm 2 for TATP to 650.11 ± 35.76 mm 2 for the LTO approach). Combining approaches increases the area of exposure significantly (1,237.79 ± 48.41 mm 2 and 1,056.59 ± 48.12 mm 2 for EEA and LTO vs. EEA and TATP). Conclusion This study thoroughly emphasizes the pros and cons of the aforementioned approaches. Each approach may be applied in selected cases as a single or as part of a combined technique. However, conventional approaches are still indicated according to extent and pathology. Level of Evidence : V.

Tele-robotic distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection on a cadaver.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of tele-robotic distal gastrectomy (tele-RDG) with lymph node dissection (LND) using a novel Japanese-made surgical robot hinotori™ (Medicaroid, Kobe, Japan) in a cadaver with a presumptive gastric cancer. The Cadaveric Anatomy and Surgical Training Laboratory (CAST-Lab.) at Hokkaido University and Kushiro City General Hospital (KCGH) are connected by a guaranteed type line (1 Gbps), and the distance between the two facilities is 250 km. A patient cart was installed at CAST-Lab, and a surgeon cockpit was installed at KCGH. Tele-RDG with D2 LND was performed on an adult human cadaver. In all surgical processes, the communication environment was stable without image degradation, and the mean round trip time was 40 milliseconds (36.5-55 milliseconds). For tele-RDG with D2 LND, the operation time was 199 minutes without any technical problems. Tele-RDG using hinotori™ was feasible and similar to local robotic RDG.

The clinical anatomy fellowship: A participants' perspective.

Kansas City University offers a Clinical Anatomy Fellowship which enrolls nine medical students during each academic year and provides training in research, teaching, and advanced anatomical topics. The Fellows practice as novice educators, working alongside Anatomy faculty to teach medical students in the Gross Anatomy laboratory. However, little has been reported related to Fellowship participation and success outcomes. This survey-based study was designed to explore (1) student motivation(s) for pursuing the Fellowship, (2) benefits of participation, and (3) the perceived impact on residency applications and career success. Three unique populations were surveyed. The most important factors driving application to the Fellowship were a desire to increase competitiveness in the residency application process (Likert mean score 4.7-5.0) and a passion for Anatomy (Likert mean score 4.3-4.7). Taking a year away from the College of Osteopathic Medicine curriculum (Likert mean score 4.4) and delaying clinical exposure (Likert mean score 4.2) were the most important deterrents to application. The most reported benefits after program completion included opportunities to build a strong residency application (44% and 50% of Fellows), conduct research (44% and 45% of Fellows), and participate in teaching (11% and 50% of Fellows). 73% of past Fellows matched into their top specialty of choice. Flexibility in the program allows participants to individualize their Fellowship experience to address their personal goals related to residency applications and careers as future physicians. As the results suggest, the Clinical Anatomy Fellowship benefits Fellows, signaling other medical institutions to consider adopting a similar program.

Usefulness of knowledge in anatomy of the internal iliac artery in its ligation during life-threatening pelvic haemorrhages

Introduction: Post-Partum haemorrhage is a significant cause of maternal mortality. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation is a life-saving procedure to control massive obstetric and gynaecological haemorrhages. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation results in toning down the pulsatility making the arterial flow a slow venous flow encouraging the clot formation of the damaged pelvic vessels. This study assesses the retroperitoneal anatomy and regional variations of the internal iliac artery.Methods: The study was based on examining 45 pelvic halves (23 right sides and 22 left sides), which were dissected during the gross anatomy laboratory at the faculty of medicine, Ragama, University of Kelaniya, from 2020 -2023. There were all adult pelvises. The internal iliac artery and its major branches were carefully dissected and examined. Adachi classification was used to classify the distribution pattern of the internal iliac artery. The study was done on the donated cadavers, and the nature of the study did not warrant any special ethical clearance. No conflict of interest.Results: No anatomical deviation has been noted with regard to the levels of division of aorta, common iliac artery, the division into internal and external iliac arteries and the division of anterior and posterior branches of the internal iliac artery from that of classical anatomical literature. It was also noted that there had been no significant deviation of anatomical relations with regard to the structures as described in the internal lilac artery in our study. In our study, Type Ia was found in 35/45 (78%) of the specimens, Type IIa in 3/45 (6%), Type III in 7 (16%), and no specimens were found with Type IV and. Type V.Conclusion: Our study showed no significant anomalies of the pelvic anatomical structural relations to the internal iliac artery. The type Ia branching pattern was found to be the commonest.

Unusual location of a central neurocytoma: Particularities of a rare brain tumor

Introduction: Central neurocytoma is a typically rare intraventricular glioneuronal tumor in young adults. Clinically, it is revealed by symptomatology of intracranial hypertension. Intra-parenchymal, extraventricular, and intramedullary localizations are exceptional. Central neurocytoma is considered a benign tumor that can recur locally, but craniospinal dissemination remains as an exception. Case Report: We report a case in a 35-year-old male subject who consulted for quadriparesis and genito-sphincter dysfunctions. The clinical examination noted a syndrome of intracranial hypertension, a kinetic and static cerebellar syndrome, spastic tetraplegia with crural predominance, and anesthesia going up to the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6). A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a heterogeneous left cerebellar lesion. This lesion was excised, and the sample was freshly sent to the pathological anatomy laboratory. Extemporaneous cytology using the Smear technique was performed and was consistent with a hemangioblastoma. The standard histological examination also revealed the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma, and an additional immunohistochemical (IHC) study was performed for better diagnostic accuracy. The study was conducted in a North African laboratory and was conclusive of a neurocytoma. The evolution was marked by cerebellar tumor regrowth at five months, then the death of the patient at eight (08) months after surgery. Conclusion: Central neurocytoma is a rare tumor that can be confused with several other tumors of the central nervous system. Immunohistochemistry is essential for diagnostic confirmation.

Effect of periodic exposure to formaldehyde in the anatomy laboratory on some haematological indices in male Wistar rats

Background: The effect of periodic exposure to formaldehyde on some haematological indices in male Wistar rat was studied.
 Materials and Methods: The Wistar rats were divided into three groups A,B and C with 5 animals in each group. Group A served as control with nil exposure while groups B and C were the test groups with 5 months exposure on non-dissection days and dissection days respectively. Formaldehyde air level was measured both at experimental and control sites. Some haematological parameters measured include Red blood cell count, Haemoglobin concentration, White blood cell count: total and differential, and platelet count. Statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism version 5.0. Results were presented as Mean ± SEM. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the means of test and control values while post hoc test was done using Student Newman Keul’s test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
 Results: Results revealed significant increase in formaldehyde air level in the dissection hall. There was significant increase in total white blood cell count when compared with control while red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and platelet count were not significant.
 Conclusion: It was therefore concluded that periodic exposure to formaldehyde in the Anatomy laboratory may have no effect on most haematological indices in Wistar rats although the white blood cells may be affected.

Quantitative Anatomical Studies in Neurosurgery: A Systematic and Critical Review of Research Methods.

The anatomy laboratory can provide the ideal setting for the preclinical phase of neurosurgical research. Our purpose is to comprehensively and critically review the preclinical anatomical quantification methods used in cranial neurosurgery. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE databases were searched, yielding 1667 papers. A statistical analysis was performed using R. The included studies were published from 1996 to 2023. The risk of bias assessment indicated high-quality studies. Target exposure was the most studied feature (81.7%), mainly with area quantification (64.9%). The surgical corridor was quantified in 60.9% of studies, more commonly with the quantification of the angle of view (60%). Neuronavigation-based methods benefit from quantifying the surgical pyramid features that define a cranial neurosurgical approach and allowing post-dissection data analyses. Direct measurements might diminish the error that is inherent to navigation methods and are useful to collect a small amount of data. Quantifying neurosurgical approaches in the anatomy laboratory provides an objective assessment of the surgical corridor and target exposure. There is currently limited comparability among quantitative neurosurgical anatomy studies; sharing common research methods will provide comparable data that might also be investigated with artificial intelligence methods.

Quadriceps and gluteus medius activity during stable and unstable loading exercises in athletes. A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the muscle activation of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and gluteus medius during different strength and stability exercises with a water tank compared with a sandbag. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Functional Anatomy Laboratory, and the sample consisted of 28 athletes. The main outcome measures were surface electromyography (dependent variable), water tank and sandbag, and exercise type (independent variables): Isometric Single Leg Stance (ISLS), One Leg Deadlift (OLDL), Front Rack Forward Lunge (FRFL), and Lateral Lunge (LL). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant Group × Time interaction in gluteus medius root mean square (RMS) (F = 14.198, p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.35), vastus lateralis RMS (F = 24.374, p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.47), and vastus medialis RMS (F = 27.261, p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.50). In the between-group analysis, statistically significant differences were observed in gluteus medius RMS in the ISLS: 28.5 ± 15.8 water tank and 20.8 ± 12.6 sandbag (p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.08) and OLDL: 29.7 ± 13.3 water tank and 26.5 ± 13.1 sandbag (p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.01). In vastus lateralis in ISLS: 30.4 ± 37.6 water tank and 19.0 ± 26.7 sandbag (p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.03). In vastus medialis in ISLS: 14.2 ± 13.0 water tank and 7.0 ± 5.6 sandbag (p < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.12), OLDL: 21.5 ± 16.9 water tank and 15.5 ± 10.7 sandbag (p = 0.002, ŋ2 = 0.04), and LL: 51.8 ± 29.6 water tank and 54.3 ± 29.3 sandbag (p = 0.017, ŋ2 = 0.00). These results confirm significantly greater activation of the gluteus medius and vastus medialis in the ISLS and OLDL exercises, and of the vastus lateralis in the water tank ISLS exercise. However, the vastus medialis shows greater activation in the LL exercise.

Effect of Sleep Deprivation on the Number of Prefrontal Cortex Neuroglia Cells in Male White Rats (&lt;i&gt;Rattus norvegicus&lt;/i&gt;)

Stress induced by sleep deprivation can increase inflammation and oxidative stress, destroying the pyramidal and neuroglia cells in the prefrontal cerebral cortex and interrupting cognitive and behavioral functions. This study aims to observe the difference in the number of pyramidal and neuroglia cells in the prefrontal cortex of male white rats (Rattus norvegicus) after stress induction by paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) and total sleep deprivation (TSD). This study was conducted in the Anatomy Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, from November 2019 to February 2020. The method of this study was a posttest-only design with a control group approach using ten rats for each group; that was control (K.I.), PSD (KII), and TSD (K.I.). PSD and TSD groups received sleep deprivation treatment for eight days for 20 hours/day and 24 hours/day, respectively. The mean pyramidal cell number decreased in the PSD (66.67±24.55) and TSD (65.90±34.91) compared to the control (77.10±26.11) group, but no significant differences were found between all groups (p&gt;0.05). The mean neuroglial cell number was lower in the PSD (97.78±28.17) and TSD (75.80±22.39) compared to the control (126.00±48.81). Post-hoc Bonferroni test showed a significant difference between control and TSD (p&lt;0.05) but not between control and PSD or PSD and TSD (p&gt;0.05). In conclusion, there was a significant difference in the number of neuroglial cells but not pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex of male white rats (Rattus norvegicus) after stress induction with total sleep deprivation (TSD).

Morphometric analysis of adult Hippopotamus forelimb bones

Background: Understanding the adaptative changes in bone shapes among animals involves studying bone morphology. We examined adult hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)forelimb bones at the anatomy laboratory of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. Samples were collected from Rangpur Recreation Park and Zoo between September 2021 and July 2022. Methods: Bones were processed by removing mud and boiled with water. Subsequently, hydrogen peroxide was used for one and a half hours to remove any remaining muscular tissues from the bones. Following this, the bones were air-dried under sunlight for a month. Measurements of key parameters including length, height, width, circumference, and weight were obtained using calibrated instruments, thereby ensuring precision. Results:The scapula displayed a pronounced and elongated spine – the spina scapulae – that demarcated the lateral surface into two distinct fossae: the supraspinous fossa and the infraspinous fossa. The distal expansion of the spine, known as the acromion process, consisted of the fused hamate process and suprahamate process. The head of humerus was round and featured two undivided tubercles: the greater or major and the lesser tubercle. On the medial surface, a small and shallow radial fossa was observed, while on the opposite side, a large and deep olecranon fossa was present. The proximal surface of the radius head exhibited concave fovea capitis radii, which articulated with the lateral condyle of the humerus. The shaft of the radius was slightly expanded in the cranio-caudal direction. Similarly, the shaft of the ulnahad a somewhat triangular shape, resembling the shape of the radius shaft. Medially, it had a convex facet that articulated with the radius, and cranially, the interosseous space between the radius and ulna was longer than the caudal view. Conclusions: The unique anatomical features and morphometric measurements of the forelimb bones in hippos can be beneficial for identification, radiographic interpretation, and forensic investigation. Furthermore, this study provides essential guidelines and insights for understanding appropriate anatomical parameters.

Impact of gross anatomy laboratory on student written examination performance: A 3-year study of a large-enrollment undergraduate anatomy course.

The efficacy of the various pedagogies that are used in human anatomy laboratories has been extensively debated. Nevertheless, an important question remains relatively unexamined-how the learning experience in the anatomy laboratory impacts students' mastery and application of anatomical knowledge beyond the laboratory setting. In this study, the effect of a prosection-based anatomy laboratory on overall comprehension and mastery of anatomical knowledge was evaluated in an upper division undergraduate anatomy curriculum that consists of a mandatory lecture course and an optional laboratory course. This flexible curricular structure permitted assessing the merit of laboratory learning on the written examination performance of the lecture course. In 2019 and 2022, the anatomy laboratory was taught in-person using prosections, while in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic related regulations, it was taught remotely with live-streaming of prosections using document cameras. In both in-person and remote instructive formats, written examination scores of the lecture course were compared between two cohorts of students: Those enrolled in lecture only and those enrolled in both lecture and laboratory. Results showed that the cohort enrolled in both lecture and laboratory courses consistently outperformed the lecture-only cohort by one full letter grade. Furthermore, when the degrees of improvement on written examination scores were compared between the two instructive formats, in-person laboratory had a greater increase compared to remote laboratory. Altogether this study demonstrates that the prosection-based anatomy laboratory enhances students' mastery of anatomical knowledge beyond the laboratory setting by promoting comprehension of spatial relationships of anatomical structures.

Variations in the origin of the coronary artery in black African population: a cadaveric study in western Kenya

Background: The coronary arteries which originate from the right and left aortic orifices are the main blood vessels to the myocardium. Variations are anomalies which could affect the overall perfusion of the myocardium causing conditions like ischemic heart diseases leading to sudden unpredicted death. Variants can also cause confusion to cardiologists and heart surgeons leading to challenges in patient management. This study sought to determine these variations among black African population in Western Kenya by assessing the variations in origin of the coronary artery. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in the Maseno University, Uzima University and Masinde Muliro University Human anatomy laboratories. Out of a total of 89 cadavers,72 samples were identified using Cochran’s formula. Data sheets were used to capture the variables while descriptive statistics was used to calculate the frequency and percentage of the variation in the origin of the coronary arteries while Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between the variables and variations P=≤ 0.05 considered as significant. All ethical approval was issued via license number: NACOSTI /P/22/21905.Results: Dual aortic origin was the most common occurrence at 55.6% while 44.4% were variations with more than one orifice on the aortic cusps. Conclusions: There were variations which could be fatal during surgical procedures, but also important alternate pathway for the perfusion of the myocardium. There is need for early routine imaging of the heart for effective management and to avoid mortalities and morbidity associated with the variations.

Anatomical variations in morphology of right and left brachial plexus among black African population; a cadaveric study in western Kenya

Background: Brachial plexus (Bp) is a network of bundles of nerves of spinal cord around neck and axilla in the body formed by union of anterior primary rami of C5 to C8, and T1. Technical expertise required for clinical and surgical procedures remains challenging for the beginners. Variations may be due to trauma, irradiation, neoplasm, infection, and autoimmune inflammatory disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in variation of right and left Bp of the study population. Methods: Cross sectional descriptive study was used in Maseno, Uzima and Masinde Muliro Universities anatomy laboratory to get sample size of 35male and 35 female cadavers. Chi- square test was set at a p= 0.05. Ethical consideration was observed. Results: Statistically significant difference (p=0.009) between the right and the left upper limb in the branching of musculocutaneous nerve was recorded. A total of 17.8% variations in origin and segments of Bp, majority 9.9% were from left while 7.9% from right. Highest frequency of variation occurred at the prefixed root of Bp with 8.7% occurring on left upper limb and 12.13% on right upper limb. Right upper limbs had highest incidence of variations in branching patterns of Bp at 43% whilst left had incidence of 23.5%. Highest frequency of main terminal variation was of musculocutaneous nerve at 18.6% with 13.6% occurring on right side and 5% on left side. Conclusion: Knowledge of variations is essential in evaluation of unexplained sensory and motor loss after trauma and surgical interventions to the upper limb.

Structure and function: how to design integrated anatomy and physiology modules for the gross anatomy laboratory.

Physicians must be able to integrate knowledge across disciplines. Therefore, educators need to provide opportunities for students to cognitively integrate information across the medical school curriculum. Literature has shown that specifically pointing out these connections helps students create cause and effect models and ultimately improve their performance. The gross anatomy laboratory provides an excellent environment for students to integrate information by establishing structure and function relationships. This article presents simple steps to create modules which help students cognitively integrate physiology and anatomy at the session level in the gross anatomy laboratory. Driven by backward design, these steps include establishing objectives, creating assessments, and developing activities that can be implemented in a specific learning environment. An example of a flexible module which could be implemented in a number of gross anatomy lab settings (e.g., prosection, dissection, models, virtual) is presented along with a template for the design of future modules. This is followed by a discussion of challenges encountered by educators attempting to integrate structure and function in the gross anatomy lab. Each of these considerations will be addressed with potential solutions for educators seeking to implement these types of integrated activities.

Conservation of Organs (Heart, Brain and Kidney) of Canine by Cold-Temperature Silicone Plastination in an Animal Anatomy Laboratory in Ecuador

Conservation of Organs (Heart, Brain and Kidney) of Canine by Cold-Temperature Silicone Plastination in an Animal Anatomy Laboratory in Ecuador

Clinical and anatomical importance of foramen magnum and craniocervical junction structures in the perspective of surgical approaches.

This study was conducted to investigate the clinical and anatomical importance of the relevant region from the perspective of surgical approaches by determining the morphometric analysis of the craniocervical junction and foramen magnum (FM) region and determining their distances from important anatomical points. This research was carried out with 59 skulls found at the Anatomy Laboratories of Erciyes and Ankara Medipol University. Metric measurements of FM and condyle, FM shape, condyle-fossa relationship, and pharyngeal tubercle (PT) were made in mm-based dry bone samples of unknown age and sex. The distance between the anterior notches and the FM was 87.01±4.35, the distance between the anterior notches and the PT was 77.70±4.24, the distance between the PT-sphenooccipital junction was 13.23±2.42, and the FM index was 81.86±7.47. The anteroposterior and transverse lengths of FM were determined as 33.80±2.99 and 27.72±2.30, respectively. The morphometric and morphological data available regarding the craniocervical junction showed significant differences between populations. Comprehensive knowledge of this topic will provide a better approach to treat Arnold Chiari Malformation, FM meningiomas, and other posterior cranial fossa lesions. Therefore, we believe that FM and craniocervical junction morphology will be a guide not only for anatomists, but also for radiologists, neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons, and orthopedists.