Body Donation Research Articles

The impact of enhancing publicity and commemoration of body donors at Zhengzhou University, China.

As a fundamental subject of medical education, human anatomy plays a critical role in the development of medical science. However, because of multiple factors including cultural conservativism and limited social understanding, China is facing a particularly severe shortage of bodies donated for anatomy education. Zhengzhou University (ZZU) has continued to uphold whole-body dissection as the preferred method for medical students to learn anatomy. For this study, records of registered individuals (who have signed a body donation agreement) and donors (whose bodies have been received) from 2001 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the body donation program (BDP) at ZZU, and then reinforce the social understanding for the BDP. The results showed a significant increase in the numbers of both registered individuals and donors since 2015, which is the year the publicity and commemoration in honor of donors were increased. There were no significant differences between the biological male and female sexes in the registered individuals, but the number of male donors (12.85 ± 10.86, per year) was significantly higher than that of female donors (4.75 ± 4.53, per year). The current donor profile at ZZU is male in his 60/70s, while the profile of registered individuals is male or female in their 60s. Strengthening the publicity and commemoration in honor of donors may contribute to the implementation of BDPs.

Distal Nerve Transfers in High Peroneal Nerve Lesions: An Anatomical Feasibility Study.

The peroneal nerve is one of the most commonly injured nerves of the lower extremity. Nerve grafting has been shown to result in poor functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare anatomical feasibility as well as axon count of the tibial nerve motor branches and the tibialis anterior motor branch for a direct nerve transfer to reconstruct ankle dorsiflexion. In an anatomical study on 26 human body donors (52 extremities) the muscular branches to the lateral (GCL) and the medial head (GCM) of the gastrocnemius muscle, the soleus muscle (S) as well as the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) were dissected, and each nerve's external diameter was measured. Nerve transfers from each of the three donor nerves (GCL, GCM, S) to the recipient nerve (TA) were performed and the distance between the achievable coaptation site and anatomic landmarks was measured. Additionally, nerve samples were taken from eight extremities, and antibody as well immunofluorescence staining were performed, primarily evaluating axon count. The average diameter of the nerve branches to the GCL was 1.49 ± 0.37, to GCM 1.5 ± 0.32, to S 1.94 ± 0.37 and to TA 1.97 ± 0.32 mm, respectively. The distance from the coaptation site to the TA muscle was 43.75 ± 12.1 using the branch to the GCL, 48.31 ± 11.32 for GCM, and 19.12 ± 11.68 mm for S, respectively. The axon count for TA was 1597.14 ± 325.94, while the donor nerves showed 297.5 ± 106.82 (GCL), 418.5 ± 62.44 (GCM), and 1101.86 ± 135.92 (S). Diameter and axon count were significantly higher for S compared to GCL as well as GCM, while regeneration distance was significantly lower. The soleus muscle branch exhibited the most appropriate axon count and nerve diameter in our study, while also reaching closest to the tibialis anterior muscle. These results indicate the soleus nerve transfer to be the favorable option for the reconstruction of ankle dorsiflexion, in comparison to the gastrocnemius muscle branches. This surgical approach can be used to achieve a biomechanically appropriate reconstruction, in contrast to tendon transfers which generally only achieve weak active dorsiflexion.

Profiting from public dissection: A new era of unethical practices.

Historically, adverse events have reflected poorly on both the practice of dissection and the perception of the discipline of anatomy. The recent public dissection of a body donor is a regression to an unethical historical practice and was strongly denounced by anatomists around the world. The individual whose donated body was sourced from a 'for-profit" company in the United States had not given consent for a public dissection. This violates the ethics surrounding consent and body donation and potentially places the future of body donor programs in jeopardy as it compromises community frameworks around epistemic trust. Recent guiding frameworks by international anatomical associations on the ethical use of bodies have cemented the way in which body donor programs should operate. This viewpoint reflects on past and current events pertaining to public dissections and questions how these indignities may influence the public's interaction with human bodies. The authors argue that public dissection should be prohibited as it is against social mores. Social pressure should be applied to individuals or companies who wish to profit from unethical anatomical practice and legislation prohibiting public dissection should be introduced in those countries where it does not yet exist.

Donation of the body and its parts in the construction of parenthood.

The developments of science and technology make possible today unprecedented exchanges of body parts by multiplying the figures and links that intervene in the process of building parenthood and generating significant ethical and judicial controversies. Body donation in the procreative field constitutes an anthropological and social phenomenon of increasing attention, which contributes to one of the most intimate and profound aspirations of the human being and which requires a careful evaluation of the various interests involved and a thorough reflection on the statute and characteristics of the parental bond. The interest of the child, the dignity of women and the quality of human relations are the parameters of this analysis and, at the same time, the perimeter of the judgment. However, the approach to these issues is complicated not only by the extreme heterogeneity of legislation but also by suspicions and prejudices that hinder reflection appropriate to the complexity of the issues involved. Investigate the reasons for the choice of donation, the criticalities, and possible drifts, without closing in their subjective value horizon, is an unavoidable prerequisite for a comparison with the new social realities of the family that respects the fundamental rights of the person.

In jars: The integration of historical anatomical and pathological potted specimens in undergraduate education

IntroductionAcross the UK, many anatomy departments possess historical potted wet cadaveric specimen collections, such as organs preserved in fluid-filled jars. Although considered obsolete by some for anatomical education, there is immense potential for their utilisation in teaching, particularly in institutes that have limited access to cadavers or have had body donation rates impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Another benefit of historical potted cadaveric specimens is that severe pathology, often not seen today, can be observed by the student. Material and methodsThe aim of this study was to understand students’ opinions and attitudes towards the use of historical anatomical and pathological potted wet specimen collections in undergraduate science teaching. Following their integration into the anatomy program of a Clinical Sciences degree, seventy-seven undergraduate students completed a five-point Likert questionnaire on their perspective for the integration of the historical potted specimens in anatomical education. This study was approved by the Research Ethics committee at the University of Bradford ResultsThe study demonstrated that 90 % of students found the collection useful in teaching, 92 % would like to see the collection used more in teaching, and 76 % of students found that the collection encouraged them to consider medical ethics and the donor. ConclusionsIn conclusion, the survey findings suggest that further utilisation of historical potted wet specimen collections would be useful in the teaching of anatomy and that these collections could potentially encourage conversations on post-mortem bodily integrity, ethics, and organ donation.

The anatomy of the tendon of abductor pollicis longus and its morphological variations: An anatomical approach emphasizing the clinical relevance

PurposeThe anatomical literature describes the abductor pollicis longus as a muscle with a single tendon inserting on the base of the first metacarpal bone, but investigations have shown that it often exhibits morphological variations. However, methodological approaches used to describe these variations have not been useful in a clinical context. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to study and relate such anatomical variations in a clinical context. Basic proceduresThirty upper limbs from the body donation program were dissected using standard procedures to identify the number of abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendons, their position, site of insertion, length, width and thickness. The presence or absence of the extensor pollicis brevis muscle was also noted. Inter and intra-observer reliability was analysed. Main findingsA total number of 71 tendons from the APL muscle were found in the thirty limbs. The most frequent distribution pattern was a main tendon inserted on the base of the first metacarpal and an accessory tendon inserted into the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. These tendons could divide into various tendinous slips that could insert in different locations. Also, clustering algorithms and classical statistical tests showed tendons inserting on the first metacarpal were longer than tendons not inserting on the first metacarpal (p = 0.03), while medial tendons and tendons from an APL muscle with supernumerary tendons were narrower (p < 0.001). The absence of the extensor pollicis brevis muscle was not related to the presence of supernumerary APL tendons. ConclusionsRadiological and surgical implications of these results are important when examining this region of the hand and wrist. The pathophysiology and treatment of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, trapeziometacarpal arthritis and trapeziometacarpal subluxation or laxity could be influenced by the results of our findings.

Don du corps à la science

In France, between 2,500 and 3,000 people donate their bodies to science each year after their death; they contribute therefore to the teaching of anatomy, to research and to the learning and improvement of surgical practices. The decision to donate must be made during the donor's lifetime and consent must be expressed in writing to one of the 27 donation centers throughout the country. Following the scandal of the Parisian center of the Saints Pères, which revealed a lack of respect for bodies and fundamental ethical principles, the decree of April 27, 2022 concerning the donation of bodies for teaching and research purposes, which is part of the new bioethic laws, was eagerly awaited to clarify certain practices. However, this decree raises new questions because many of the rules it proposes do not appear to be relevant to the values of donation and the functioning of donation centers. The new modes of regulation proposed by the decree generate questions among donors and professionals in the field with a risk of poor regulation, detrimental to all with regard to major ethical issues. If the public authorities do not commit themselves to a regulation that is better adapted to the field, if the ethical stakes are not better clarified and if the universities do not have the means to implement these new organizations, the perpetuation of body donation and of donation centers could become challenging.

A rare bilateral variant of the coracobrachialis muscle with supernumerary heads and coexisted variant branching patterns of the brachial plexus and the axillary artery

PurposeThe study report describes a rare bilateral variant of a six- and five-headed coracobrachialis muscle (CB). The musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) (bilaterally) and the median nerve (MN) lateral root (unilaterally) pierced CB heads, separating superficial from deep heads.MethodsThe variant bilateral CB was identified in a 78-year-old formalin-embalmed male cadaver, derived from a body donation program after a signed informed consent.ResultsAt the right side: The 6-headed CB was pierced by the MCN, while the MN lateral root pierced the one superficial and deep head. CB was supplied by the lateral cord and the MCN. At the left side: A 5-headed CB was identified with three superficial distinct origins that fused into a common superficial head coursing anterior to MCN. The variant CB bilaterally (with 11 heads in total) coexisted with a MN variant formation, an atypical course of the MN lateral root through CB (right side), a connection of the MN lateral root with the MCN (left side) and a variant axillary artery branching pattern (bilaterally).ConclusionsCourse and direction of the accessory CB heads may occasionally entrap the MCN and/or adjacent structures (brachial artery and MN). The MCN compression results in problems in the glenohumeral joint flexion and adduction, and tingling or numbness of the elbow joint, the forearm lateral parts and the hand.

Aquaporin-1 and Aquaporin-4 Expression in Ependyma, Choroid Plexus and Surrounding Transition Zones in the Human Brain.

The choroid plexus (CP) is a structure in the brain ventricles that produces the main part of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is covered with specialized cells which show epithelial characteristics and are the site of the blood-CSF barrier. These cells form a contiguous cell sheet with ventricle-lining ependymal cells which are known to express aquaporin-4 (AQP4). In contrast, CP epithelial cells express aquaporin-1 (AQP1) apically. We investigated the expression patterns of aquaporins in the CP-ependyma transition from human body donors using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Ependymal cells and subependymal astrocytes at the base of the CP showed a particularly high AQP4 immunoreactivity. Astrocytic processes formed a dense meshwork or glial plate around the blood vessels entering the CP. Interestingly, some of these astrocytic processes were in direct contact with the CP stroma, which contains fenestrated blood vessels, separated only by a basal lamina. Electron microscopy confirmed the continuity of the subastrocytic basal lamina with the CP epithelium. We also probed for components of the AQP4 anchoring dystrophin-dystroglycan complex. Immunolabeling for dystrophin and AQP4 showed an overlapping staining pattern in the glial plate but not in previously reported AQP4-positive CP epithelial cells. In contrast, dystroglycan expression was associated with laminin staining in the glial plate and the CP epithelium. This suggests different mechanisms for AQP4 anchoring in the cell membrane. The high AQP4 density in the connecting glial plate might facilitate the transport of water in and out of the CP stroma and could possibly serve as a drainage and clearing pathway for metabolites.

Knowledge levels and attitudes of medical faculty students related to whole body donation in Türkiye

BackgroundCadaver is a very important educational material for medical faculty students, students of health sciences, residents of any specialty in medicine and specialists. In developed countries, cadavers are mainly obtained by individual donations. However, like in other developing or underdeveloped countries, whole-body donations for cadaveric use in Türkiye are extremely scarce. This study sought to investigate the knowledge and awareness levels of medical faculty students about body donation and the factors that might influence their attitudes to body donation. The aim of the study is, with the results of the questionnaire, to raise public awareness for whole-body donation by creating public spots and by giving place in the official website of the Ministry of Health and make medical faculties to put lectures about body donation and its importance into their anatomy curriculum. MethodsA 31-item questionnaire with close-ended statements was administered to 291 students at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty. ResultsOnly two of the participants (0.7%) stated that they had already donated their bodies to be used as a cadaver. Of note, those who reported considering whole body donation had higher maternal education levels (p = 0.002). The presence or absence of religious belief and the degree of religiosity were also significant factors, for significantly higher rates of non-believers and those who defined themselves as having a low degree of religiosity were in favor of body donation (p < 0.0001). ConclusionsAccording to the religion of Islam, we should inform the relevant media that there is no harm in donating a body. In addition, considering the effect of mother's education level on the decisions of young people on this issue, we can state that we see once again how important women's education is in order to make progress in every field.

The Middle Rectal Artery: Revisited Anatomy and Surgical Implications of a Neglected Blood Vessel.

Although the middle rectal artery is a relevant anatomical landmark for rectal resection and lateral lymph node dissection, descriptions of this entity are highly divergent. Dissection, visualization, morphometry, and 3-dimensional reconstruction of the middle rectal artery to facilitate its management in surgery. Macroscopic dissection, histologic study, morphometric measurements, and virtual modeling. University laboratory of applied surgical anatomy. This study includes formalin-fixed hemipelvis specimens (n=37) obtained from body donors (age, 67-97 y). The main outcome measures are photo documentation of origin, trajectory, diameter, and branching pattern; immunolabeling of lymphatics; and 3-dimensional reconstruction of the middle rectal artery. The middle rectal artery was present in 71.4% of body donors (21.4% bilateral, 50% unilateral), originated from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, and branched either from the internal pudendal artery (45.5%), the inferior gluteal artery (22.7%), the gluteal-pudendal trunk (22.7%), or a trifurcation (9.1%). One to 3 branches of varying diameters (0.5-3.5 mm) entered the mesorectum from the ventrolateral (35.7%), lateral (42.9%), or dorsolateral (21.4%) aspect. The middle rectal artery was accompanied by podoplanin-immunoreactive lymphatic vessels and gave off additional branches (81.8%) to the urogenital pelvic organs. Three-dimensional reconstruction revealed the complex course of the middle rectal artery from the pelvic sidewall through the pelvic nerve plexus and parietal pelvic fascia into the mesorectum. Findings retrieved from body donors may be prone to age- and fixation-related processes. The investigation disclosed the rather high prevalence of the middle rectal artery, its 3-dimensional topographic anatomy, and its proximity to the autonomic pelvic nerves. These features play a role in the surgical management of this blood vessel. The data provide the anatomical rationale for the lateral lymphatic spread of rectal cancer and an anatomical basis for nerve-preserving lateral lymph node dissection.

Elderly with Varying Extents of Cardiac Disease Show Interindividual Fluctuating Myocardial TRPC6-Immunoreactivity

Both particular myocardial locations in the human heart and the canonical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) cation channel have been linked with cardiac pathophysiologies. Thus, the present study mapped TRPC6-protein distribution in select anatomic locations associated with cardiac disease in the context of an orienting pathological assessment. Specimens were obtained from 5 body donors (4 formalin fixation, 1 nitrite pickling salt-ethanol-polyethylene glycol (NEP) fixation; median age 81 years; 2 females) and procured for basic histological stains and TRPC6-immunohistochemistry. The latter was analyzed descriptively regarding distribution and intensity of positive signals. The percentage of positively labelled myocardium was also determined (optical threshold method). Exclusively exploratory statistical analyses were performed. TRPC6-protein was distributed widespread and homogenously within each analyzed sample. TRPC6-immunoreactive myocardial area was comparable regarding the different anatomic regions and sex. A significantly larger area of TRPC6-immunoreactive myocardium was found in the NEP-fixed donor compared to the formalin fixed donors. Two donors with more severe heart disease showed smaller areas of myocardial TRPC6-immunoreactivity overall compared to the other 3 donors. In summary, in the elderly, TRPC6-protein is widely and homogenously distributed, and severe cardiac disease might be associated with less TRPC6-immunoreactive myocardial area. The tissue fixation method represents a potential confounder.

The Sphenoparietal Sinus Revisited: Anatomical and Histological Study With Application to Interventional Procedures and Skull Base Surgery.

Background The sphenoparietal sinus (SPS) is implicated in various clinical pathologies, specifically arteriovenous fistulasand venous sinus thrombosis. This study is aimed to better understand this venous structure of the skull base via histological examination. Methods Ten embalmed and latex-injected adult body donors' heads (20 sides)underwent microdissection of the SPSusing a surgical microscope. The entire dura on the underside of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone encompassing the region known as the groove for the SPS was harvested from each body donor and submitted for histological analysis (H&E, Periodic acid-Schiff [PAS], Masson's Trichrome). Five leftand five right transverse sinuses were harvested and analyzed histologically as controls. Results A definitive SPS was identified in 14/20 (70%) of the latex-injected body donors. When present, the sinuses were classified as small, medium, or large. Tributaries included the middle meningeal veins, superficial Sylvian vein, and anterior temporal veins. All sinuses drained medially into the cavernous sinus. For the body donors analyzed histologically, 17 (85%) were consistent with a dural venous sinus and not a vein and were observed to have a rich nerve and arterial supply within their walls. The histological findings of the SPS were similar to those seen for the transverse sinus. The combined prevalence for the SPS in gross and histological body donors was 78%. Conclusions Our findings support the presence ofSPS in the majority of body donors. To our knowledge, this is the first histological study of the SPS.

Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude towards Body Donation among Medical and Paramedical Students

Background: Cadavers are the mainstay of learning anatomy by dissection. Due to insufficient awareness of body donation, most of the medical institutions are facing a shortage of cadavers. Health-care professionals should have knowledge about the complete process of body donation, so that they can become motivators of organ and body donation. The present study was conducted to determine and compare the awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding body donation among medical and paramedical students. Methodology: A cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted among 182 medical and 119 paramedical students through a pretested semistructured questionnaire via a Google form. The Chi-square test was used for the estimation of the P value. Results: 96.7% of medical students and 93.2% of paramedical students had heard about the concept of body donation. 31.8%medical and 49.5% of paramedical students (P &lt; 0.00001) knew that body donation and eye donation can be done simultaneously. The cadavers available are not adequate was felt by 45% of medical and 42.8% of paramedical groups. 90.1% of medical and 86.5% of paramedical students opined for the inclusion of a chapter on body donation. The virtual anatomy table cannot be a substitute for body donation was perceived by 78% of medical and 15.1% of paramedical students (P &lt; 000001). 34.6% of medical students and 56.3% of paramedical students have shown their willingness to donate their whole body and eyes. Conclusion: Although medical and paramedical students have heard about the concept of body donation, their awareness, knowledge, and attitude need to be improved.

Body Donation Awareness in Eastern Uttar Pradesh: A Cross-sectional Study among Medical Students, Practitioners, and Support Staff

Introduction: Cadavers play a crucial role in facilitating the study of anatomy, as a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy necessitates the dissection of human bodies. Additionally, cadavers are utilised for advanced laboratory work, workshops, and the training of surgical science postgraduates. With the rapid proliferation of medical colleges across the nation and the existing institutions striving to increase their student intake, the supply of unclaimed bodies may no longer be adequate to meet the demands of these institutions. Consequently, the necessity for voluntary body donation becomes increasingly pertinent. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding body donation among 1st-year MBBS students, healthcare professionals/doctors, and non teaching staff of a teaching institution in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Varun Arjun Medical College and Rohilkhand Hospital, Banthra, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The total number of study participants (n=230) was divided into three groups: 1st-year MBBS students (n=90), healthcare professionals/ doctors (n=70), and non teaching staff (n=70). A self-designed and structured questionnaire containing 15 questions was used in the study. Data were recorded in an Excel sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26.0 (Chicago, Inc, USA). Results: In the MBBS and Doctors groups, all participants demonstrated familiarity with the study topic, while 95.7% of the non teaching group reported being unacquainted with the concept of body donation. Regarding the purpose of body donation, both MBBS students and Doctors indicated the dual purposes of organ donation/transplantation and medical teaching and research. Male respondents exhibited a notably positive attitude (96.6%) towards both purposes without reservation, while females showed a stronger inclination towards organ donation. When questioned about the procedure for donating the body, the MBBS students and non teaching staff displayed a lack of awareness regarding the process, with 89.5% of doctors being knowledgeable about the donation procedure. Conclusion: Despite the considerable level of awareness regarding body donation, there exists a notable lack of motivation, which could be addressed through effective sensitisation and education initiatives. Enhancing the scenario of insufficient body donations could be accomplished through targeted awareness campaigns utilising both print and electronic media.

Análise de lacunas e perspectivas sobre programas de doação de corpos: relato de experiência no Brasil

Abstract: Introduction: International recommendations reinforce the practice of voluntary donation for providing bodies for the training of health professionals, replacing the system of unclaimed bodies in medical courses (MC). Experience report: This work gathered information on Brazilian body donation programs (BDP), analyzed gaps and difficulties to the effectiveness of body donation, and proposed strategies to expand the information offered on the registration of participants in BDP and the effectiveness of the donation. Discussion: In Brazil, there are 39 BDP - six in the Northeast, four in the Midwest, one in the North, 11 in the South, and 17 in the Southeast - and two committees for body donation. Documents may be easily available through registration during life as a participant in the BDP, but it does not guarantee donation. In general, Brazilian’s institutions receive the donated body along with the documentation. When the death occurs in the same city of the institution, it is possible to have the transfer of the body provided by partnerships with funeral services and the city hall. There is no fee to be paid or received either for registration during life or for donation after death. Conclusion: Although the legislation has regulated the donation of body in life since 2002, it is necessary to implement campaigns to inform about the donation, in addition to mechanisms that can promote speed in the deadlines for obtaining documentation for the purpose of donating body for scientific purposes, the exemption of notary fees and the possibility of transporting the body donated with no fees by funeral home of municipal governments. The MC support through the registration of the PDC as an extension activity collaborates to ensure ethical aspects related to the participation of donors in the living program, with regard to the treatment with respect and dignity of donors and their families.

Perspectivas de uma comunidade universitária acerca da doação de corpos para estudo em anatomia humana

Abstract: Introduction: The cadaver is an irreplaceable piece in the learning of human anatomy, allowing a three-dimensional view of anatomical structures. However, there is a scenario of scarcity and increased demand for cadaveric parts in Brazilian universities. Therefore, several institutions, supported by article 14 of Law 10.406/2002 of the Brazilian Civil Code, implemented body donation programs aimed at bringing significant improvements in the teaching quality of the anatomy discipline. Objective: To analyze the level of knowledge and perspectives of a university community regarding the voluntary donation of cadaveric bodies for educational and research purposes. Method: This is an observational, cross-sectional and prospective study with a quantitative approach and data collection through an individual questionnaire. The subjects included in the study were teachers and students from the Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Dom Delgado - UFMA. The questionnaires were related to obtaining information about knowledge and opinions on the topic of body donation. Result: A total of 264 answered questionnaires were obtained, which showed that 85.65% of students and 87.1% of teachers were aware of the possibility of donating their own bodies. However, it was observed that 94% of the interviewees did not know what procedures were necessary for the donation, and 86% did not have knowledge about the legislation that allowed this practice. Furthermore, 27.65% of the participants were able to donate their own body, 33.7% indicated that they would not donate and 38.9% reported that they had no formed opinion. The main reason given for donating was: “to contribute to the advancement of education in the health area”, and for not donating: “I want to be buried or cremated”. Conclusion: There is a high percentage of individuals who do not know how to carry out the donation of their own bodies, being evidenced that the participants have low aptitude for donation. However, there is a significant percentage of individuals who do not have a formed opinion on the subject, demonstrating that the dissemination of this topic is a means to increase adherence to this practice. It is important to carry out the development of body donation programs to solve the problem.

Visualization in Anatomy Education.

In the post-pandemic era, one of the significant challenges for anatomy teachers is to reciprocate the experience of practical exposure while teaching the subject to undergraduates. These challenges span from conducting cadaveric dissections to handling real human bones, museum specimens, and tissue sections in the histology lab. Such exposures help the instructors to develop interactive communication with their fellow students and thus help to enhance communication skills among them. Recently, anatomy teachers all over the world started using cutting-edge educational technologies to make teaching-learning experiences for students more engaging, interesting, and interactive. Utilizing such cutting-edge educational technologies was an "option" prior to the pandemic, but the pandemic has significantly altered the situation. What was previously an "option" is now a "compulsion." Despite the fact that the majority of medical schools have resumed their regular on-campus classes, body donation and the availability of cadavers remain extremely limited, resulting in a deadlock. Anatomy teachers must incorporate cutting-edge educational technologies into their teaching and learning activities to make the subject more visual. In this chapter, we have attempted to discuss various new technologies which can provide a near-realistic perception of anatomical structures as a complementary tool for dissection/cadaver, various visualization techniques currently available and explore their importance as a pedagogic alternative in learning anatomy. We also discussed the recent advancement in visualization techniques and the pros and cons of technology-based visualization. This chapter identifies the limitations of technology-based visualization as a supplement and discusses effective utilization as an adjunct to the conventional pedagogical approaches to undergraduate anatomy education.

Perspectives of a university community about body donation for human anatomy study

Resumo: Introdução: O cadáver é uma peça insubstituível no aprendizado da anatomia humana, pois permite uma visão tridimensional das estruturas anatômicas. Entretanto, observa-se um cenário de escassez e aumento da demanda das peças cadavéricas nas universidades brasileiras. Logo, diversas instituições, amparadas no artigo 14 da Lei nº 10.406/2002 do Código Civil brasileiro, implementaram programas de doação de corpos interessados em trazer melhorias significativas na qualidade de ensino da disciplina de anatomia. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o grau de conhecimento e as perspectivas de uma comunidade universitária a respeito da doação voluntária de corpos cadavéricos para fins educacionais e de pesquisa. Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal e prospectivo com abordagem quantitativa e coleta de dados por meio de questionário individual. Os sujeitos incluídos foram os docentes e discentes da Universidade Federal do Maranhão (Ufma), campus Dom Delgado. Os questionários eram relativos à obtenção de informações sobre o conhecimento e a opinião acerca da temática da doação de corpos. Resultado: Obteve-se um total de 264 questionários respondidos, os quais mostraram que 85,65% dos discentes e 87,1% dos docentes tinham conhecimento acerca da possibilidade da doação do próprio corpo. Contudo, observou-se que 94% dos entrevistados não sabiam que procedimentos eram necessários para a doação, e 86% não possuíam conhecimento acerca da legislação que permitia tal prática. Ademais, 27,65% dos participantes estavam aptos a doar o próprio corpo, 33,7% apontaram que não doariam e 38,9% informaram que não tinham opinião formada. O principal motivo apontado para doar foi: “para contribuir com o avanço da educação na área da saúde”, e para não doar: “quero ser enterrado ou cremado”. Conclusão: Existe um alto percentual de indivíduos que não conhecem os meios para realizar a doação de corpos, sendo evidenciado que os participantes apresentam baixa aptidão para doação. Contudo, existe um percentual significativo de indivíduos que não tem opinião formada sobre o assunto, demonstrando que a divulgação dessa temática é um meio para aumentar a adesão a tal prática. É importante realizar o desenvolvimento de programas de doação de corpos para solucionar a problemática.

Technology-Enhanced Preclinical Medical Education (Anatomy, Histology and Occasionally, Biochemistry): A Practical Guide.

The recent explosion of technological innovations in mobile technology, virtual reality (VR), digital dissection, online learning platform, 3D printing, and augmented reality (AR) has provided new avenues for improving preclinical education, particularly in anatomy and histology education. Anatomy and histology are fundamental components of medical education that teach students the essential knowledge of human body structure and organization. However, these subjects are widely considered to be some of the most difficult disciplines for healthcare students. Students often face challenges in areas such as the complexity and overwhelming volume of knowledge, difficulties in visualizing body structures, navigating and identifying tissue specimens, limited exposure to learning materials, and lack of clinical relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation by reducing face-to-face teaching opportunities and affecting the availability of body donations for medical education.To overcome these challenges, educators have integrated various educational technologies, such as virtual reality, digital 3D anatomy apps, 3D printing, and AI chatbots, into preclinical education. These technologies have effectively improved students' learning experiences and knowledge retention. However, the integration of technologies into preclinical education requires appropriate pedagogical approaches and logistics to align with educational theories and achieve the intended learning outcomes.The chapter provides practical guidance and examples for integrating technologies into anatomy, histology, and biochemistry preclinical education. The author emphasizes that every technology has its own benefits and limitations and is best suited to specific learning scenarios. Therefore, it is recommended that educators and students should utilize multiple modalities for teaching and learning to achieve the best outcomes. The chapter also acknowledges that cadaver-based anatomy education is essential and proposes that educational technologies can serve as a crucial complement for promoting active learning, problem solving, knowledge application, and enhancing conventional cadaver-based education.