relationship between normal intercondylar and intermaleolar distances and epidemiological factors in children 3-16 years of age

In evaluation of genu varum and genu valgum which are common in growth period of children, tibiofemoral [TF], intercondylar [1C] and intermaleolar [IM] distances are commonly measured. Normally, the legs of most newborns are slightly curved or have moderate curves medially when they are in standing position. During their growth, the extension of the lower limb changes. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between normal intercondylar and intermaleoar distances and physiolgical factors among these subject groups. In this cross-sectional study a group of 850 children [452 females, 398 males] aged between 3 to 16 years old were studied. The samples were collected randomly from kindergartens, preschool care centers and schools in all 4 districts of Ahvaz, plus a few patients in Shafa hospital. The intercondylar and intermaleolar distance were examined in standing position, while the knee and hip joints were fully extended and the two medial maleolus or two medial condye of knees were in contact. In this study, descriptive statistics as well as t- and ANOVA tests were used for comparison. Pearson correlation for the survey were used data analysis by SPSS version 15. The mean of intercondylar distance among studied groups was 1.65 +/- 0.86: 1.5 in boys and 1.71 cm in girls respectively. The mean of intermaleolar distances was 2.31cm in males 2.05cm and in females 2.53 cm, the difference was significant [P<0.05]. There was a direct ralationship between intermaleolar distance and weight, height and length of leg, but relationship between Intercondylar distance and these factors is in reverse order

How to decrease the emotional impact of cadaver dissection in medical students

Teaching of anatomy is based on cadaver dissection. Working with cadavers whether through active dissection or by examination of prosected specimens, constitutes a potential stressor in medical education. To reduce the anxiety level by mentally preparing the student before going to the dissection hall. Two questionnaires were distributed among 68 medical students. The pre-dissection questionnaire No.1 comprised questions relating to demographics and first encounter with a cadaver.Then all the students were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.The experimental group was prepared psychologically prior to dissection but the control group had no such preparation. After the first dissection class all the students were surveyed by questionnaire No.2 which included physical and cognitive symptoms of anxiety, resulting from exposure to the dissection room at the first visit and six weeks later. There was a significant difference p<0.05 in the rate of anxiety between experimental and control group in the initial visit. The difference in the rate of anxiety between the first exposure and six weeks later was significant in control group [p<0.008], while it was not significant in experimental group. The initial preparation could relatively reduce the rate of stress, so that the experimental group experience less emotional effects during dissection compared to control group

How to decrease the emotional impact of cadaver dissection in medical students

Teaching anatomy is based on cadaver dissection. Working with cadavers, whether through active dissection or by examination of prosected specimens, constitutes a potential stressor in medical education. To reduce the anxiety of the medical students by mentally preparing them before going to the dissection room. The questionnaires were distributed among 68 medical students. The pre-dissection questionnaire comprised questions related to demographic data and the first encounter with a cadaver. The students were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was prepared psychologically prior to dissection, but the control group entered the dissection room without any preparation. After the first dissection class, all students were surveyed by the second questionnaire which surveyed physical and cognitive symptoms of anxiety, resulting from exposure to the dissection room at the first visit and six weeks later. There was a significant difference [p<.05] in the rate of anxiety between experimental and control group in the initial visit. The difference in the rate of anxiety between the first exposure and six weeks later was significant in control group [p<.008], while it was not significant in the experimental group. The initial preparation could relatively reduce the rate of stress, so that the experimental group experienced less emotional effects during dissection compared to control group