Practical Anatomy Online Learning among COVID‑19 Pandemic Era: Perceptions of 1st‑Year MBBS Students

Introduction: With the rise of the COVID‑19 pandemic, digital learning has been implemented in medical colleges across India to continue the ongoing medical education. Anatomy is the basis of medical science and is best learned through offline classes that allow students to experiencethe texture of structures and handling of specimens. During this pandemic period, cadaveric dissection was not used to study anatomy. The aim of this study was to learn about students’ attitudes regarding virtual teaching and learning in anatomy, as well as the problems they may confront. MaterialsandMethods: Adescriptive cross‑sectional study was conducted in the department of anatomy among the 50 1st‑year MBBS students of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot in April 2021. Google Forms were used to obtain informed consent from students. Prevalidated questionnaires were given online to the students and responses were noted and descriptive statistical data was derived from the analysis. Results: About 37 (74%) respondents found traditional classes are better than online teaching. Majority preferred to attend anatomy practicals offline with safety precautions. About 17 (34%) showed interest in prerecorded videos. About 35 (60%) students faced social isolation as an impact of online learning. Technical issues and distractions were the key problems faced while learning anatomy online. Conclusion: Prerecorded videos of the practicals are helpful in teaching anatomy practicals, and can be used in future to ensure an unbroken, continuous, and effective delivery of medical education

A Morphological Study Of A Rare Variant Of Gantzer’s Muscle

Background: Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) is a deep flexor of forearm. The accessory heads of flexor pollicislongus(FPLah) and flexor digitorum profundus(FDPah) are named after Gantzer who described the same in1831.The less frequent of the two is FDPah, which simulates soft tissue tumor mass or may cause compressionneuropathy of anterior interosseous nerve leading to anterior interosseous nerve syndrome or Kiloh-Nevinsyndrome.Aim: To determine the prevalence and morphology of accessory head of flexor digitorum profundus.Materials and Methods: 50 upper limbs of equal right and left distribution of unknown sex were dissected andexamined in the department of anatomy. Morphological parameters such as shape, origin, insertion and relationto nerve of accessory head of FDP were studied.Results: The prevalence of accessory head of FDP showed 22% .FDPah was most commonly seen on the left side.Most frequently observed shape for FDPah was fusiform and all the accessory heads originated from undersurfaceof flexor digitorum superficialis and majority of the cases were inserted to middle third of tendon of FDP forindex finger. One of the cases had double muscle belly with their tendons inserting to tendon for index finger andmiddle finger of FDP.Conclusion: Knowledge of existence of Gantzer’s muscle may provide surgeon with information for the differentialdiagnosis of the causes and sites of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome, also surgical interference for nervedecompression or to differentiate from soft tissue tumors.