Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

Human anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures. Some of these structures are very small and can only be observed and analyzed with the assistance of a microscope. Other larger structures can readily be seen, manipulated, measured, and weighed. The word "anatomy" comes from a Greek root that means "to cut apart." Human anatomy was first studied by observing the body's exterior and the wounds of soldiers and other injuries. Later, physicians were allowed to dissect the bodies of...

Anatomical Positions

Anatomical Positions

In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...

Data Collection III

Data Collection III

The physical assessment examines the patient for objective data that defines the patient's condition, and aids in formulating the nursing care plan. The purpose of physical assessment is a health status appraisal, which includes identifying health problems, and establishing a database for nursing intervention.
The principles to begin the physical assessment include conducting a comprehensive or problem-related history in a quiet, well-lit room, emphasizing privacy and comfort for the patient.

Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation

Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation

Introduction
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.

Structural Organization of the Human Body: An Overview

Structural Organization of the Human Body: An Overview

It is convenient to consider the body's structures in terms of fundamental levels of organization that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms.
To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of...

Body Planes

Body Planes

Body planes in anatomy are imaginary flat surfaces used as reference points to divide the body into sections for anatomical study. These planes are essential for understanding the orientation, relationships, and spatial organization of anatomical structures.
The sagittal plane is the plane that divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body resulting in equal division, it is called the midsagittal or median...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Precision Immunoregulation in transplantation: The rise of engineered Treg therapies.

Molecular biology reports·2026

Same author

Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumor Oncology and the Frontier of Precision Immunosuppression: A Mechanistic, Translational, and Clinical Review.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Same author

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Young Healthy Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Pilot Study of Preliminary CIMT Measurements and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Using a Handheld Ultrasound Device.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Ethnobotany of desert medicinal plants and their sustainable ethnomedicinal utilization.

Die Naturwissenschaften·2026

Same author

When the unexpected happens: educational reflections on and values of dissection of a cadaver with multiple anatomical variations.

Folia morphologica·2026

Same author

Dietary Polyphenols and Selected Nutraceuticals in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanistic Insights, Translational Evidence, and Clinical Prospects.

Nutrients·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice

Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice

Published on: February 9, 2013

What is an objective structured practical examination in anatomy?

Ahmed Yaqinuddin¹, Muhammad Zafar, Muhammad Faisal Ikram

¹Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Anatomical Sciences Education

|August 30, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE) effectively assess practical anatomical knowledge in medical education. This study details OSPE

More Related Videos

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Published on: October 22, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice

Evaluation of Muscle Function of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Ex vivo and Tibialis Anterior Muscle In situ in Mice

Published on: February 9, 2013

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Published on: October 22, 2017

Area of Science:

Medical Education
Anatomy
Assessment Methods

Background:

Assessing anatomical knowledge requires evaluating theoretical, practical, and clinical domains.
Traditional methods include written tests (MCQs, SAQs), oral exams, spot exams, and Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE).
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) assess clinical application of anatomical knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the evolution and current application of OSPE for assessing practical anatomical knowledge.
To differentiate OSPE from traditional spot examinations within a problem-based medical curriculum.
To highlight the importance of structured objectives in OSPE effectiveness.

Main Methods:

Focus on the Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) as the primary assessment tool.
Analysis of OSPE implementation in the practical domain of anatomical knowledge.
Comparison of OSPE with spot examinations in traditional curricula.

Main Results:

OSPE is utilized in practical examinations, but often functions as a spot examination.
This article details the evolution and current use of OSPE at Alfaisal University College of Medicine.
Key differences between OSPE and spot examinations are outlined.

Conclusions:

OSPE is considered the most efficient tool for assessing practical anatomical knowledge.
Its effectiveness is maximized when integrated with clinical or functional anatomy in a problem-based curriculum.
The OSPE process must be centered around clearly defined, structured objectives.