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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology01:24

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 Terminology01:20

Anatomical Terminology

Knowledge of anatomy is essential to understand human biology and medicine. Anatomists and health care professionals use standard terminology to describe the human body with more precision and no ambiguity. Anatomical terms have mostly Greek and Latin-derived roots. Because these languages are rarely used in conversation, the meaning of words remains the same. Each term is made up of a root in between the prefixes and suffixes. The root of a term often refers to an organ, tissue, or condition,...
Anatomical Positions01:11

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...
Body Planes01:06

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...
Regional Terms01:12

Regional Terms

Regional terms describe anatomy by dividing the body parts into different regions that contain structures involved in contributing similar functions. Using these terms helps increase the accurate description and identification of the particular region of interest or region affected by the disease.
Primarily, the human body has two major regions, the axial and appendicular regions. The axial region comprises regions from the head to the abdomen and makes up the central body axis. In contrast,...
Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles01:12

Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

The connective tissues play a significant role in arranging the muscle fibers into a hierarchical structure that forms a complete muscle. Consider a muscle like the bicep brachii, commonly called the bicep. This muscle comprises thousands of muscle fibers enclosed by a protective layer of connective tissue called the endomysium. The endomysium is primarily composed of reticular fibers, a type of thin collagen fiber. It allows the exchange of nutrients and waste products at the fiber level,...

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

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The context of learning anatomy: does it make a difference?

Claire F Smith1, Concepción Martinez-Álvarez, Stephen McHanwell

  • 1Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK; Centre for Learning Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Journal of Anatomy
|August 13, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Anatomy learning context impacts student perception. Dental, medical, and speech students show varied learning approaches, with curriculum factors influencing outcomes and cadaveric material use correlating with deep learning.

Keywords:
anatomy educationapproach to learningteaching anatomy

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Education
  • Anatomy Pedagogy
  • Learning Psychology

Background:

  • Student perceptions of learning are influenced by educational context.
  • Understanding these perceptions is crucial for optimizing anatomy education.
  • Variations in learning approaches exist across different health professions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of learning context on student perceptions of anatomy education.
  • To identify differences in learning approaches among dental, medical, and speech and language students.
  • To explore factors influencing student engagement and confidence in anatomy learning.

Main Methods:

  • Administered the Approach to Learning Inventory (ASSIST) and Anatomy Learning Experience Questionnaire (ALE) to 224 students.
  • Multi-site study involving dental, medical, and speech and language pathology students.
  • Analyzed learning approaches (strategic, deep, surface) and responses to specific learning experiences.

Main Results:

  • 45% adopted strategic, 39% deep, and 14% surface learning approaches.
  • Surface approach prevalence varied significantly by profession (Dentistry 7%, Medicine 16%, Speech and Language 26%).
  • Dental students valued knowledge application; medical students found dissection intimidating but valued online resources; speech students reported significant learning difficulties.

Conclusions:

  • Local curriculum factors significantly shape the learning environment in anatomy.
  • Generic challenges in anatomy learning are experienced across diverse student groups and institutions.
  • Cadaveric material is perceived as vital for professional identity, strongly correlating with a deep learning approach.