Re: [HAPS-L] What is anatomy?

[Bob Tallitsch <RobertTallitsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would add the following: Developing a 3-dimensional understanding of the relationships of the various structures found within the area in question. 

Bob

On Feb, 21 2007, , at 12:57, John Waters wrote:

Hello HAPSters,

I've been doing some reading about anatomy education, and as I consider how I teach, I find myself wondering what exactly it means to *learn anatomy*.  When we evaluate whether or not our students have learned anatomy, what is it that we are looking for?  How do we know they have learned "anatomy"?  I realize our answers will differ sometimes by the nature (gen ed. or clinical) and level (introductory through graduate/professional) of the course, but I'm wondering if at least some of the things I list would apply to all types of anatomy education.

After talking with a couple of you, I scribbled out the following.  I'd appreciate hearing if you would add, subtract, or rephrase any of it as you consider your own students.

Anatomy includes:

• Learning the names of specific structures
• Learning the organization and positions of groups of structures relative to one another
• Learning how structures interact (bones, joints, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue) to make function possible (limb movement, digestion, breathing, etc.)
• Learning to make predictions about the function of a novel structure, based on what is known about similar structures (the ability to generalize)
• At some levels, learning the skills necessary to isolate and manipulate anatomic structures

Thanks in advance!
-John

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John Waters (johnwaters@xxxxxxx)
208 Mueller Laboratory
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Penn State University
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