The outbreak of COVID‐19, resulting from widespread transmission of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, represents one of the foremost current challenges to societies across the globe, with few areas of life remaining untouched. Here, we detail the immediate impact that COVID‐19 has had on the teaching and practice of anatomy, providing specific examples of the varied responses from several UK, Irish and German universities and medical schools. Alongside significant issues for, and suspension of, body donation programmes, the widespread closure of university campuses has led to challenges in delivering anatomy education via online methods, a particular problem for a practical, experience‐based subject such as anatomy. We discuss the short‐term consequences of COVID‐19 for body donation programmes and anatomical education, and highlight issues and challenges that will need to be addressed in the medium to long term in order to restore anatomy education and practice throughout the world.
INTRODUCTION Locoregional variation in the human colon is important in surgical practice; the length and mobility of different colonic regions impacts on laparoscopic and endoscopic colorectal procedures. The aim of this study was to refine anatomical understanding of the colon in terms of segmental length and mobility. METHODS The colons of 35 cadavers were examined to determine lengths of caecum as well as ascending, transverse, descending and rectosigmoid colon, and to characterise colonic mobility at each location in terms of the mesenteric attachments. The presence of Jackson's membrane (a congenital peritoneal band of the right colon) was also documented. RESULTS The mean total colonic length was 131.2cm (standard deviation [SD]: 13.4cm). There was no correlation with height, age or sex; the best predictor of total colonic length was the length of the rectosigmoid segment. The mean height of the transverse mesocolon was 7.4cm (SD: 3.6cm) and that of the sigmoid mesocolon was 6.3cm (SD: 2.6cm). Two-thirds of the subjects had a mobile portion of the ascending colon and nearly one-third had a mobile descending colon. A mobile ascending colon was significantly more common in females. Jackson's membrane was present in 66% of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS This cadaveric study suggests that rectosigmoid length accounts for most of the variability in total colonic length. The significant proportion of colons with mobility of the ascending and descending segments prompts revision of the traditional anatomical teaching of these segments as fixed and retroperitoneal. Mobility of the ascending colon may account for the anecdotal finding that colonoscopy is more challenging in female patients. Jackson's membrane was identified in most colons.
Germline mutations in four human mismatch repair genes (MSH2, MLH1, PMS1, and PMS2) have been reported to cause hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome (HNPCC). The identification of germline mutations in HNPCC kindreds allows precise diagnosis and accurate predictive testing. To investigate further the genetic epidemiology of HNPCC and the nature and frequency of germline mutations in this disorder, we studied 17 English HNPCC kindreds for germline mutations in MSH2 and MLH1.A previous genetic linkage study had suggested that most English HNPCC families will have mutations in one of these genes. Mutation analysis was performed in a three step process. (1) mRNA extracted from lymphoblastoid cell lines was analysed for gross rearrangements, (2) the in vitro transcription-translation (IVTT) assay was then performed to detect protein truncating mutations, and (3) Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome (HNPCC) may account for up to 5% of all colorectal cancers, and is characterised by a dominantly inherited predisposition to early onset (mean 46 years) and multicentric colorectal cancer. 1-3 In some families there is also an increased risk of extracolonic cancers, principally uterine, ovarian, and urothelial, and HNPCC can be subclassified into Lynch 1 and Lynch 2 in which extracolonic cancers are absent or present respectively. In addition, the Muir-Torre syndrome, which is characterised by the association of sebaceous cyst tumours and internal malignancy, is a further HNPCC variant.4 Germline mutations in four human mismatch repair genes, MSH2, MLH 1, PMS 1, and PMS2, may cause HNPCC,5-9 but there is relatively little information on the genetic epidemiology of HNPCC in different populations. In a previous genetic linkage study of 14 English HNPCC families we found evidence that mutations in MSH2 and MLH 1 were likely to account for the majority of families studied.'" Although presymptomatic molecular genetic diagnosis improves the management of familial colorectal cancer, most HNPCC families are not suitable for linkage based predictive testing. We therefore investigated the frequency, nature, and phenotypic manifestation of MSH2 and MLH1 mutations in 17 English HNPCC families. Materials and methods PATIENTS
Introduction Student outbound mobility is a major element in internationalization of medical education and global health education. However, this approach is often criticized, as it is inherently inequitable. Internationalization at home is a newer concept that aims to provide students with international skills and experiences without exchange travel. We report detailed outcomes of an international online program during the COVID-19 pandemic, which aimed to include acquisition of cultural awareness and competency—similar to what the students would have obtained if they had travelled abroad. Method Sixty-eight students from 12 international universities participated in international small peer group collaborative work, and online networking. Perceived improvement of cultural competency using Likert scale and open-ended questions was used as a measure of success. Furthermore, students’ definition of cultural competency in the different countries was obtained. Results Students improved their cultural competency skills. Data analysis supported statistically significant improvement of the above skills after the program, in comparison to the start of the program. Discussion Internationalization of medical education can be achieved at home —via structured online peer exchanges—and can provide students with intercultural skills and networking opportunities that are typically achieved via international in-person travel. The above represents a socially just and equitable way to reach all students and can result in improvement of their cultural competency, preparing them for their work in global health, and thereby resulting in improvement of global health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-021-01332-9.
Introduction The lungs have three main fissures: the right oblique fissure (ROF), right horizontal fissure (RHF), and left oblique fissure (LOF). These can be complete, incomplete or absent; quantifying the degree of completeness of these fissures is novel. Standard textbooks often refer to the fissures as complete, but awareness of variation is essential in thoracic surgery. Materials and Methods Fissures in 81 pairs of cadaveric lungs were classified. Oblique fissures were measured from lung hila posteriorly to the lung hila anteriorly; and the RHF measured from the ROF to the anteromedial lung edge. The degree of completeness of fissures was expressed as a percentage of the total projected length were they to be complete. The frequency and location of accessory fissures was noted. Results LOF were complete in 66/81 (81.5%), incomplete in 13/81 (16.0%) and absent in 2/81 (2.47%); ROF were complete in 52/81 (64.2%), incomplete in 29/81 (35.8%) and never absent; RHF were more variable, complete in 18/81 (22.2%), incomplete in 54/81 (66.7%) and absent in 9/81 (11.1%). LOF and ROF were on average 97.1% and 91.6% complete, respectively, being deficient posteriorly at the lung hila. The RHF on average 69.4% complete, being deficient anteromedially. There were accessory fissures in 10 left and 19 right lungs. Conclusions This study provides a projection of the anatomy thoracic surgeons may encounter at operation, in particular the variable RHF. This knowledge is essential for optimal outcomes in both benign and oncological procedures influenced by the fissures.
Anatomy education by cadaveric dissection teaches medical students not only the formal curriculum in human anatomy, but also a ‘hidden curriculum’ whereby they learn the attitudes, identities and behaviours expected of doctors. While dissection has been investigated as a challenge to and training in emotional regulation, little attention has been paid hitherto to the forms of medical knowledge and identity which students encounter and develop in the dissection room. This study analyses a corpus of 119 tributes written by three consecutive cohorts of first-year medical students at a university to their cadaveric donors. We employ a Foucauldian discourse analysis methodology, seeking to elucidate the features of the subject position, the narrative ‘I’ or ‘we’ of the tributes, and the modes of knowledge which operate between that subject position and its object, the donor. We observe that students find themselves in a transitional state between personal and scientific modes of knowledge of the human, which correspond to different models of the subject position occupied by the student. While in many tributes these modes exist in an uneasy disjunction, others employ creative reflection to suggest new modes of knowledge and identity which may inform ethical practice.
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