The study of organism structural composition, known as anatomy, is essential in comprehending the intricate arrangements of life and plays a crucial role in medical education and practice. It bridges foundational and clinical disciplines, shaping medical education, and practice. With evolving technology, medical education faces new challenges…

In this article the authors present practical approaches to alignment cueing using the Functional Awareness® approach to embodied anatomy. The pedagogical philosophy is beneficial for all levels of dance skill. We describe specific instructional practices to enhance understanding of the body, and the cueing can be incorporated in any dance class.…

Gross anatomy courses utilize cadaver dissection to teach identification, topography, and spatial relationships of organs. The deconstructive nature of dissection, however, focuses students' attention on the "big picture", followed by a discovery of details. This approach may be useful for many, however some students may prefer to…

A deep understanding of pelvic floor anatomy requires a three-dimensional visualization of the spatial relationships among pelvic neurovasculature, soft tissue structures, and bony landmarks, which are highly complex and difficult to comprehend solely through traditional teaching methods such as didactic lectures and anatomical dissection. This…

The language of anatomy, with its roots in Ancient Greek and Roman languages, is complex and unfamiliar to many. Its complexity creates a significant barrier to public knowledge and understanding of anatomy--many members of the public find themselves asking "what does it mean?", and this can manifest as poor health literacy and outcomes.…

This discursive article explores the integration of digital storytelling into an occupational therapy gross anatomy course as a novel pedagogical approach to deepen students' understanding of the functional significance of hand anatomy. Digital storytelling utilizes technology to produce self-narrated meaningful stories and presentations that…

Adherence to the highest ethical standards is mandatory while handling precious human tissues received through the altruistic act of body donation. In 2019, misconduct at the Body Donation Center in Paris led to its closure. This adversely affected the hands-on human dissection sessions within the anatomy education program at Université…

Neuroanatomy education has evolved and improved over the years, driven by advances in technology that have led to the development of innovative interactive digital and immersive learning resources. While neuroanatomy educators have been keeping pace with and harnessing these technology advances, many medical students still struggle to apply their…

Entertainment is deeply rooted in education, from wise-cracking teachers to health documentaries. In the context of anatomy, this already complex relationship is entwined with deeply significant ethical considerations, often related to the field's reliance on human tissue, yet it remains unexplored. This study aimed to understand anatomists'…

Textbook anatomy depiction of the hepatobiliary tree is present in 55%-62% of the population. Misidentification of hepatobiliary variants can lead to bile duct injuries in cholecystectomies. A better understanding of variants has been cited as a key area for improvement in anatomy education. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness…

According to self-determination theory, the need for competence, autonomy, and relatedness has been associated with intrinsic motivation. Fulfilling basic psychological needs can lead to better learning, academic performance, and well-being. In this study, an anatomy program integrated gamification and drawing methods to explore their influence on…

Anatomy is an essential component of clinical anesthesiology. The use of simulated patients and alternative materials, including embalmed human bodies, have become increasingly common during resident physician training due to the deemphasis on anatomical education during undergraduate medical training. In this report, the need for a more extensive…

Traditional academic lectures have long been criticized as providing a passive learning environment to students. Often, they do not capture the audience's attention, resulting in learners being distracted or bored and thereby reducing their learning efficacy. Consequently, they are being abandoned by many schools and universities as an educational…

Mnemonic devices are memory aids that make it easier to recall information and are widely used by students studying anatomy and physiology. Simple musical instruments and toys can serve as mnemonic devices for students learning the functional anatomy of the larynx: balloons can help learners understand and recall how sound is produced; tuning pegs…

The role of anatomical variability in safe clinical practice is underappreciated. A lack of familiarity of anatomical variations is at the center of a multitude of medical and surgical errors. The recent rise in litigation due to such errors suggests that patient care may be compromised. This makes the knowledge of anatomical variation essential…