Do The Dead Enlighten The Living In Understanding Anatomy?

ABSTRACT

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.