A comparison of 1- versus 3-month regional anatomy exposure on learning outcomes of undergraduate medical students.

Regional anatomy teaching forms a cornerstone of undergraduate medical education. Owing to an increase in teaching and learning content throughout the medical curriculum in recent years, contact hours and overall course durations in anatomy are under review worldwide. This study aimed to assess whether shortening the course content duration impacts learning gain and the ability to identify anatomical structures correctly. Undergraduate medical students of the Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU; n = 310) and at the Medical University of Graz (MUG; n = 156) participating in regional anatomy courses were included. Whole body regional anatomy courses, including hands-on dissection and accompanying lectures, were delivered over one or three months. Course content and examination mode were kept consistent, while the duration of knowledge delivery was one or three months, respectively. Objective structured practical examinations (OSPE) were then carried out on prosections for the neck, thorax, and abdomen. 3-month course exposure resulted in significantly higher OSPE scores for the neck (49 vs. 37%), thorax (65 vs. 54%), and abdomen (65 vs. 45%), respectively. Further evaluation of the utility of different embalming types yielded higher 3-month scores in the neck and thorax regions with Thiel-embalmed tissues and thorax and abdomen regions in ethanol-glycerin-embalmed tissues. Course exposure over a more extended period, like three months, appears to be highly beneficial.

Undergraduate medical student perceptions and learning outcomes related to anatomy training using Thiel- and ethanol-glycerin-embalmed tissues.

Anatomical dissection is known to serve as an integral tool in teaching gross anatomy, including postgraduate training. A variety of embalming techniques exist, resulting in different haptic and optical tissue properties. This study aimed to objectify learning outcomes and medical student perceptions related to the use of two widely used embalming techniques, namely Thiel and ethanol-glycerin embalming. Between 2020 and 2022, first- and second-year medical students enrolled in the course on topographic anatomy participated in this study. Objective structured practical examinations were carried out for the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and extremity regions following regional dissection just before the oral examinations began. Six to ten numbered tags were marked in prosections of each region in Thiel- and ethanol-glycerin-embalmed specimens. Following the examinations, the students were surveyed regarding the suitability of the two embalming techniques with respect to preservation, colorfastness, tissue pliability, and the suitability in preparing for their anatomy examinations. Consistently higher scores were achieved for the thoracic and abdominal regions in ethanol-glycerin-embalmed specimens when compared to Thiel. No benefit was found for Thiel-embalmed upper or lower extremities. Tissues embalmed with ethanol-glycerin were rated higher for preservation and suitability to achieve the learning objectives, tissue pliability was rated higher for Thiel-embalmed tissues. Ethanol-glycerin embalming appears to offer certain advantages for undergraduate students in recognizing visceral structures, which may align with students' ideas on tissue suitability for their learning. Consequently, the benefits reported for Thiel embalming for postgraduate study unlikely reflect its suitability for novices.

A Systematic Review of the Normal Sacroiliac Joint Anatomy and Adjacent Tissues for Pain Physicians.

BACKGROUND: The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) forms a complex joint and has shown to be underappreciated in its involvement with lower back pain. Research efforts have intensified on SIJ anatomy and biomechanics because of its predisposing position to pain and dysfunction in individuals suffering from lower back discomfort. Previous work has focused on SIJ anatomy including bone and joint structure, innervation, as well as biomechanics and the treatment of SIJ pain. However, to date, no review exists describing the range of 'normal' anatomic features of the SIJ. OBJECTIVES: To describe the normal appearance of the SIJ and adjacent tissues, as opposed to 'abnormal' conditions involving SIJ morphology. It will also identify key areas that require further study because of lacking information or disagreement. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature review. SETTING: The research took place at the University of Otago, New Zealand. All published research on 'normal SIJ anatomy' available from MEDLINE, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct were included, available until December 2018, in English, French, and German. Subject areas included bony landmarks, joint type, bone morphology, ligamentous attachments, muscular and fascial relationships, blood supply, fatty infiltration, and morphologic variation. METHODS: Articles met the selection criteria if they contained specific information on SIJ anatomy, including bone morphology and architecture, ligaments, muscle attachments, innervation, vasculature, and the presence of fat. Biomechanics and kinematics related keywords were used as the literature often couples these with the anatomy. Keywords of individual articles were named as 'structures of interest.' RESULTS: A total of 88 primary and 101 secondary articles were identified in the time frame from 1851 to 2018. Primary articles provided quantitative data and detailed anatomic descriptions. Secondary articles did not focus specifically on the anatomy of the SIJ. Although research appeared to be in general agreement on bony landmarks, joint type, myofascial attachments, vasculature, and innervation of the SIJ, there was only part consensus on ligament attachments and cartilage structure. Information regarding bone density of the articulating surfaces of the SIJ is lacking. Despite its potential clinical significance, fatty infiltration within the joint lacks research to date. LIMITATIONS: Only the given databases were used for the initial search. Keyword combinations used for this review may not have been inclusive of all articles relevant to the SIJ. Work in languages other than the ones listed or work that is not available via the internet may be missing. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an overview of normal SIJ structures, including all neuromusculoskeletal elements related to the joint. There is a lack of knowledge on the SIJ ligaments warranting further investigation. Furthermore, there are discrepancies in relation to the nomenclature, layers, attachment sites, and on the topographical relationships between ligamentous tissues and nerves. Subsequent studies on the quantification of fat and bone density in the SIJ have been suggested. These could be useful radiologic parameters to assess the condition of the joint clinically. This review may provide insight into the clinical signs and abnormal biomechanical features of the joint for the purposes of treating SIJ pain. KEY WORDS: Bone density, bony landmarks, fat infiltration, innervation, ligaments morphology, muscles, sacroiliac joint, vasculature.