Do The Dead Enlighten The Living In Understanding Anatomy?

Background: Cadaveric dissection is a traditional method to acquire the anatomical knowledge. Even though theadvancement of multimedia and prosected specimens are changing the attitude of the students towards thereplacement of dissection.Purpose of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the attitude of students toward dissection, identifyingthe factors preventing them from learning and to obtain the suggestions for the improvement of learning in thedissection hall.Materials and methods: It was a questionnaire based study which involved 140 students of first yearundergraduates conducted at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry.Results: The pre and posttest questionnaires were completed by 140 students. The difference between pre andpost test responses regarding the factors distracting the students from learning anatomy in the dissection hallwas not statistically significant. Majority of the students opined that hands-on dissection is an important toolto learn gross anatomy even though the results were statistically insignificant.Conclusion: However different methods of learning anatomy have evolved, the most effective way to understandgross anatomy is cadaveric teaching.

Bilateral Occurrence of the Vestigial Muscle Psoas Minor.

Muscles which regress during the process of evolution are called as vestigial muscles. One of them in humans is psoas minor, which sometimes forms a part of the posterior abdominal wall. It is clinically significant in relation to sportsmedicine and as a differential diagnosis for certain conditions. The following article presents a case report in a 60 year old male cadaver with bilateral psoas minor.

Anomalous Left Vertebral Artery from Arch of Aorta: A Thought For Surgeons.

Arterial variations in the branching pattern of arch of aorta are uncommon and may occur as a result of developmental changes in the fusion and absorption of various pharyngeal arch arteries into the aortic sac. The present case report describes a finding in amale cadaver aged between 60- 65 years about the origin of left vertebral artery directly fromthe arch of aorta. Such variations should be kept inmind during surgical procedures in the superior mediastinum.

Variation In the Branching Pattern of Facial Artery: Premasseteric Artery.

Arterial variations are uncommon. In the present case, the arterial variation observed was an additional branch of the facial artery arising from the main trunkwhile it crosses the base of themandible. It ascended on the masseter and terminated into three branches. Knowledge of vascular variations will enhance the surgical precision, avoid misdiagnosis and prevent iatrogenic complications during surgical procedures of the face.