The question of dissection in medical training: Not just "if," but "when"? A student perspective

A pilot study exploring the effectiveness of binaural beats at reducing anxiety associated with cadaveric dissection

This study explored the effects of a novel intervention, binaural beats (BB), on anxiety levels of anatomy students during cadaveric dissections and its impact on the learning environment. The study was quasi-experimental, employing a purposive sampling strategy. State (SA) and trait (TA) anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during two routine dissection sessions. SA was measured at three time points: at the start, after a 3-min control (silence)/intervention (10 Hz BB) session, and at the end of the dissection. A post-study survey was distributed to the participants to obtain qualitative feedback on their perceptions of BB use during cadaveric dissections. Thirteen female students participated in this study (mean age 19.62 ± 0.65 years). Both control and intervention measures significantly reduced SA levels, with BB demonstrating a greater effect size (Hedges' g = 0.98 for intervention vs. 0.76 for control). SA decreased significantly after the BB intervention (t(12) = 3.78, p = 0.003) and remained low throughout the session, in contrast to the control session, where the reduction post-measure was not sustained (t(12) = -0.64, p = 0.54). Feedback from the post-study survey indicated that most students found the BB intervention effective in reducing their anxiety levels before the dissection. The BB intervention was effective in reducing and maintaining students' SA levels during dissection. Students reported positive experiences with BB. Further investigations are warranted to determine whether the findings of this study can be generalized to larger and more heterogeneous populations.

An Open-Book Approach to Pelvic Dissection for the Male Genitourinary System

Cadaveric dissections of the male pelvis are predominately conducted using either an anterior approach with the pelvis intact, or via pelvic hemi-section. The anterior approach leaves more tissue in-situ, but has limited visualization of retropubic structures, such as the prostate, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, and urethra. Hemi-section of the pelvis provides increased visualization at the expense of transecting midline structures. This article describes a novel cadaveric dissection, which offers enhanced visualization of pelvic structures in-situ. Using a posterior approach, the pelvis was dissected in an "open-book" manner, which fully exposed the posterior aspects of the prostate, seminal vesicles, ureters, and vas deferens. The delicate neurovascular bundle supplying these structures remained undisturbed. The visualization provided by this dissection correlated well with a coronal MRI of the pelvic region. This open-book dissection provides a novel posterior vantage point of the male genitourinary system, which can help medical students and residents solidify their understanding of anatomical relationships within the pelvis.

New virtual platform for teaching comparative animal neuroanatomy based on metameric slices of the central nervous system

With the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, new technologies were used as methods to continue teaching and learning activities. This scenario brought forth the need to develop online tools for teaching. Therefore, this research aimed to develop a digital platform linking the knowledge about the central nervous system (CNS) anatomy from feline, equine, and sheep models. The platform was produced from the analysis of a collection of mesoscopic slides made from the sequenced cross-section of the CNS of a feline, an equine, and a sheep. All sections were analysed and stained using the Paul-Wiegert modified technique. The platform was organized in four modules: (1) Neuroanatomy of the Central Nervous System; (2) Neuroanatomy of Feline; (3) Neuroanatomy of Equine; and (4) Neuroanatomy of sheep. For each module, an explanatory document in PDF was developed, as well as video lectures and a descriptive atlas identifying the structures present in the encephalon and in the cervical part of the spinal cord. Even though there are numerous online platforms that allow the study of veterinary anatomy of different species and organs, the veterinary neuroanatomy platform presented here is the first platform that conjointly addresses the CNS anatomy of felines, equines, and sheep. Future research applying this platform as an aid to the study of neuroanatomy by students, teachers, and veterinary professionals should validate its use as a complementary tool for teaching and learning animal neuroanatomy.