[Tutorial session using cross sections of upper and lower limbs in human gross anatomy course].

We performed tutorial education in gross anatomy using thick serial cross sections (3-4 cm) of one of the upper or lower limbs of a cadaver donated for use in the macroscopic dissection course. Group learning (four people) proceeded with the extraction of the point in question from an arbitrary section. Consequently students obtained a deeper understanding of the cross sectional structure of an upper or lower limb and further deepened their understanding of the three-dimensional structure of limbs. Each group collected clinical images of the part corresponding to the selected section to present, thus bringing together the relationship between the anatomical knowledge studied from the specimen and the related disease. A questionnaire survey after the practicum suggested that the practice of using serial cross sections and the presentation of relevant images using Microsoft PowerPoint were effective means of the study. Useful points on the student's understanding were collected with respect to the following three opinions: Fresh aspects, Grasp of the position, and Three-dimensional views. Moreover, the dissection program in gross anatomy combined with thick cross sections was thought to be helpful in that not only was observing the cross structure but also to dissect it if necessary, with the students obtaining a deeper understanding of the structure as a result. In our anatomy practice thereafter, the practicum was done with awareness of the issues faced by the students in mind. It was concluded that the practicum that uses the cross sections is an effective means in gross anatomy education.

[Student evaluation of faculty teaching in molecular anatomy course at Nippon Medical School: results of a questionnaire survey].

For the purpose of improving education, the lecture and practices employed in the Molecular Anatomy Course were evaluated by students. The survey was performed with personal computer connected to a local area network and the results were readily exhibited on our website the following day. The total number of answers was 528 and the reply percentage was 31.2%. The average score (from 1: very bad to 5: very good) was 3.9, with a range of 3.2 to 4.8. Faculty teaching got better grades in the latter half of the period compared to those in the first half, particularly on "preparation" and "understanding". The correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between the understanding of the lecture and the orientation of practice. These findings suggest that constant evaluation by students during the whole period of the instruction is useful for improving the quality of education of our Anatomy Course.

Intraoperative acoustic evaluation of living human cartilage of the elbow and knee during mosaicplasty for osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow: an in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty for osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum is being used increasingly in adolescent patients. Little research has been published on the material properties of living human cartilage of the elbow and knee. HYPOTHESIS: The cartilage of the osteochondritis dissecans lesion is detected as degenerated by ultrasound. The material properties of the cartilage of the intact part of the elbow are not different from those of the intact knee except in thickness. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: The authors studied 10 young male athletes with osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum who underwent mosaicplasty. An acoustic probe was used for measurement, and the wavelet transform method was used. Three parameters were used: signal intensity (index of cartilage stiffness), signal duration (index of roughness), and signal interval (index of thickness). RESULTS: The cartilage of the osteochondritis dissecans lesion had lower signal intensity than did the intact part of the capitellum. The cartilage of the radial head opposite the capitellum had significantly lower signal intensity and higher signal duration than did other sites. The signal intensity of the radial head was significantly higher in early-stage patients than in late-stage patients, although the macroscopic view was almost all intact. The signal intensity of the plug was decreased significantly after grafting. CONCLUSION: The osteochondritis dissecans lesion had lower signal intensity than did the intact part of the capitellum. Although the macroscopic view looked intact, the radial head cartilage was degenerated as measured acoustically. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Not only the cartilage of the capitellum but the cartilage of the radial head are acoustically degenerated in osteochondritis dissecans patients. Plugs might be damaged in the transplanting procedure, and further follow-up is necessary.