Preferred modalities for learning anatomy: medical students’ opinion

Learning anatomy is the basic and essential component of medical study when students start to learn in medical career. Since five hundred years ago, the human cadaver has been used as the silent mentor for students in learning anatomy. Later, pre-dissected specimens were used in addition to hands-on dissection of human cadaver. Current advances promote the use of anatomical models as well as plastinated specimens. This study focused on analyzing the preference of students towards different learning modalities available for anatomy teaching. It was conducted on first year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah (FPSK, UMS). A total of 76 students (27 males and 49 females) participated in this study. Out of 76 students, 57 (75%) students preferred using human cadaver for anatomy learning. Four students (5.3%) opted for plastinated specimen while 15 students (19.7%) chose the plastic model. Knowledge gained in learning Anatomy was said to be easier from cadaver (67.1%), followed by plastinated specimen (35.5%) and plastic models (52.6%). In the present study, 97.4% responded that plastic model was easier to apply their knowledge in objective structured practical examinations. The present study found that using cadaver was still favoured by medical students. Further studies are required to determine the preference between hands-on cadaveric dissections versus pre-dissected specimens

Pattern and variations of the posterior interosseous artery of forearms in human adults

Variations in the arterial pattern of the upper limb have been observed frequently, either in routine dissections or in clinical practice. Understanding of the vascular patterns of forearm and hand is necessary for microsurgical techniques in reconstruction of hand and upper extremity. To identify the variations of the posterior interosseous artery of forearm including the anastomosis patterns. Total 100 forearms were dissected. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS for windows standard version release 11.5 statistical software. Posterior interosseous artery (PIA) originated from the common interosseous artery (78%) and ulnar artery (22%). The distal end of PIA anastomosed with the posterior branch of anterior interosseous artery in the form of an arch at dorsal side of the wrist 1.9-2.2 cm above the head of ulna. On both sides, the anastomotic arch terminated by giving branch only to the ulnar head (14%), only to the dorsal carpal arch (38%) ,to the unlar head and dorsal carpal arch (45%), to the ulnar head, dorsal carpal arch and radius (1%)respectively. The branch to dorsal carpal arch passed through fifth extensor compartment of the hand. Absence of anastomosis between anterior and posterior interosseous arteries was 2%. This study confirms that the anastomosis between interosseous arteries regarded as an important and significant anatomical feature both academically and clinically. The various anastomotic patterns of posterior interosseous artery are of great help clinically for applying the interosseous skin flaps in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the hand

Palmaris Longus Agenesis (PLA) among major ethnic groups of rural sabah

The functional role of Palmaris longus muscle is little to human upper limb, but its long tendon is very useful as a donor tendon in hand reconstructive surgery. In the human body, Palmaris longus muscle is often described as one of the most variable muscles in both number and form. It is only to be consistently found in mammals especially in those using forelimbs for weightbearing and ambulation. The absence of Palmaris longus in human appears to be hereditary but its possibility through genetic transmission has not been proven yet. The first report in 1559 estimated the Palmaris longus agenesis (PLA) was 17.2% among Indians and 12-24% in Caucasians. It was reported to be 4.6% among Singaporean-Chinese while 12.6% and 26.6% in Nigeriablack and Turkish people respectively. A 2007 UKM study shows prevalence of PLA in Malays was 11.3% followed by Indians (10.7%) and Chinese (6.0%). Studies had indicated that PLA would be associated with other anatomical variations of hand. Borneo is the third largest island in the world and located in the centre of the Maritime Southeast Asia. Sabah, once known as north Borneo, is the second biggest states in Malaysia after Sarawak. Sabah, the land below the wind, has over 32 ethnic groups of people who make up the multicultural state. The largest indigenous ethnic group in Sabah is Kadazan-Dusun residing mainly on the West Coast region of Sabah, making up about 30% of population. They traditionally work as paddy and vegetable planters. One famous feature of Kadazan-Dusun culture is the Harvest Festival where these people give thanks to Rice spirit for harvest. Bajau is the second largest indigenous ethnic group and they are well known as Sabah's cowboy horsemen. They live in east coast of Sabah. Murut is the third largest indigenous ethnic group in Sabah and mostly live in South W cst region of Sabah and remote area like the interior residency between Keningau, tenom and Pensiangan. They were great hunters, using blowpipes and poisoned darts during hunting. Some are still living in Palmaris longus agenesis among major ethnic groups of rural Saba