New Anatomy

COURSE OBJECTIVE
1. Introduction to anatomy and bio-mechanics: In section 1, students will study parts of the musculoskeletal system and be trained and train themselves in bio-mechanics. With self-study and interactive classes, students will familiarize themselves with the human musculoskeletal anatomy, focusing on the extremities, and basic bio-mechanics. This section will be evaluated with a (written) interim exam.

2. Classical and integrated approach: Section 2 comprises dissection practicals and expert lectures on the engineering and the integrative approach. The first practical is meant as introductory practical for students to gain hands-on experience in dissection. In the following practicals students will step into a surgeons shoes and perform a tendon transfer for a specific nerve trauma and resulting functional impairment. Students will write a case study on their practical assignment and present the results for their peers.
 

COURSE CONTENT

This course will focus on new developments within the field of functional anatomy. Within this field the classical topographical approach has developed into an approach in which muscles are seen as isolated, and relatively independent units, which has had a major effect on the currently available bio-mechanical models and on clinical reasoning. Although the approach has been very successful, it has also been shown to be too simple in some aspects: Recent experimental and modeling studies have led to the insight that the way our muscles bring about movements can not fully be described by considering them as isolated contractile elements and springs and dampers. Instead, forces that muscles can exert are under some circumstances substantially influenced by interaction with non ­muscular structures (e.g. fascia) and other muscles. Students will be confronted with both approaches: starting from the classical approach, during the course students will be confronted with the more extensive integrative approach.

As second important element in this course is the interaction between expectation and observation: as in all disciplines, in anatomy, the expectation of what is relevant strongly influenced (and of course still does) dissection results. Students will experience this first hand during the dissection practicals in which they do hands­-on dissection on conserved human material.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectires, interactive classes

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
- Interim exam (25%)
- Written report (50%)
- Presentation (25%)