Direct correlation of radiologic and cadaveric structures in a gross anatomy course

Figures & data

Table

Practice points

Students reported that radiologic imaging used in direct correlation with gross structures is an important component of comprehending anatomy. Direct correlation between cadaveric and radiologic structures did not demonstrate a significant empirical difference in exams. The methods by which radiologic imaging is used during a gross anatomy course should be carefully evaluated since not all methods demonstrate empirically significant differences in anatomical comprehension.

Figure 1. Study design diagram. CO, cross-over; RCT, randomized controlled trial.

Figure 2. Demonstration of direct correlation of radiologic and cadaveric structures during daily teaching assistant small group teaching sessions.

Table 1  Demographics of cross-over and intervention group participants

Characteristics	Cross-over* N = 48	Intervention† N = 41	All participants	p value
Age, years ± SD	23.2 ± 2.6	23.9 ± 3.1	23.5 ± 2.9	0.23
Male sex, no. (%)	22 (46)	19 (48)	41 (47)	0.88‡
Bachelor's degree completed within 3 months of beginning medical degree, no. (%)	23 (48)	19 (46)	42 (47)	0.88§
Bachelor's degree in a basic science, no. (%)	34 (71)	24 (59)	58 (65)	0.23§
Previously attained advanced science degree, no. (%)	5 (10)	4 (10)	9 (10)	1.00¶
Parent(s) trained as physician, no. (%)	9 (19)	8 (20)	17 (19)	0.97§
Ethnicity, no. (%)				0.72§
African American	7 (15)	3 (8)	10 (12)
Asian American	14 (30)	9 (24)	23 (27)
Caucasian	22 (47)	21 (55)	43 (51)
Native American	1 (2)	2 (5)	3 (4)
Other	3 (6)	3 (8)	6 (7)

Notes: *In the cross-over group, data were missing for one participant for age and one participant for ethnicity. †In the intervention group, data were missing for one participant for age, one participant for sex, and three participants for ethnicity. ‡p value was calculated with the use of an independent t test. §p value was calculated with the use of the chi-square test. ¶p value was calculated with the use of a two-sided Fisher's exact test.

Table 2  Ranked comparison by students of the human morphology laboratory course components with respect to influence on integration and understanding of anatomy

			p value for ordinal rank comparisons†
Course component	Mean rank*	Ordinal rank	1	2	3	4	5	6
Gross cadaver dissection	2.37	1	1.00	0.865	0.036	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Gross and radiologic structure correlation	2.62	2		1.00	0.440	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Classroom small group anatomy reviews	3.04	3			1.00	0.017	0.002	<0.001
Self-guided radiology atlas tutorials	3.77	4				1.00	0.994	<0.001
Classroom small group radiology reviews	3.89	5					1.00	<0.001
Guest physician clinical presentations	5.01	6						1.00

Notes: *1 = Highest rank. †p values calculated by Tukey's post hoc test.