It has been noted by staff at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University that medical students neglect the study of surface anatomy during dissection. This study reports on the novel use of Lodox(®) Statscan(®) images in anatomical education, particularly the teaching of surface anatomy. Full body digital X-ray images (Lodox Statscan) of each cadaver (n = 40) were provided to second year medical students. During dissection students were asked to visualize landmarks, organs, and structures on the digital X-ray and their cadaver, as well as palpate these landmarks and structures on themselves, their colleagues, and the cadaver. To stimulate student engagement with surface anatomy, dissection groups were required to draw both the normal and actual position of organs on a laminated image provided. The accuracy of the drawings was subsequently assessed and students were further assessed by means of practical identification tests. In addition, students were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. A response rate of 79% was obtained for the student questionnaire. From the questionnaire it was gathered that students found the digital X-ray images beneficial for viewing most systems' organs, except for the pelvic organs. Although it appears that students still struggle with the study of surface anatomy, most students believed that the digital X-rays were beneficial to their studies and supported their continued use in the future.
The Kirsten Skeletal Collection is curated in the Division of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. It comprises the largest documented cadaver-derived South African coloured skeletal collection in the world. Our aim in this paper is to present an inventory and characterise the identified skeletons in the Kirsten Skeletal Collection as well as provide a descriptive indication of what researchers can expect to encounter at the anthropology unit at Stellenbosch University. The skeletal material was derived mainly from the cadaver donation programme of the Division of Anatomy and Histology over a 58-year period (1957–2015). All pertinent information for each individual skeleton is entered into a database and a full skeletal inventory is established. The skeletal database registry was analysed to demonstrate the distribution of age, sex and population affinity of individuals in the collection. Currently, this collection consists of 1161 skeletons with known records. Despite differences in the age and sex composition, the skeletal profile in general reflects mainly the profile of the Western Cape population. Most individuals were born between 1920 and 1950, placing the Kirsten Skeletal Collection in the early to mid-20th century. The age at death for the greatest proportion (41.8%) of individuals was between 40 and 60 years. Current biological profile techniques in age, ancestry and sex estimation can be improved and, among others, new regional and ancestral specific standards for the biologically unique and diverse South African coloured population can be developed.
The literature states that transitional vertebrae at any junction are characterized by features retained from two adjacent regions in the vertebral column. Currently, there is no published literature available that describes the prevalence or morphology of thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae (TLTV). The aim of this study was to identify the qualitative characteristics of transitional vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction and establish a technique to differentiate the various subtypes that may be found. A selection of vertebral columns from skeletal remains (n = 35) were evaluated in this study. Vertebrae were taken based on features that are atypical for vertebrae in each relative region. The transitional vertebrae were qualitatively identified based on overlapping thoracic and lumbar features of vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction. The following general overlapping characteristics were observed: aplasia or hypoplasia of the transverse process, irregular orientation on the superior articular process and atypical mammillary bodies. The results show that the most frequent location of the transitional vertebrae was in the thoracic region (f = 23). The second most frequent location was in the lumbar region (f = 10). In two specimens of the selection (f = 2), an additional 13th thoracic vertebra was present which functioned as a transitional vertebra. This study concluded that one can accurately identify the characteristics of transitional vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction. In addition, the various subtypes can be differentiated according to the region in the vertebral column the vertebra is located in and the relative number of vertebral segments in the adjacent regions of the vertebral column. This provides a qualitative tool for researchers to differentiate the transitional vertebrae from distinctly different typical thoracic or lumbar vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction.
DeceasedIdentification of the facial nerve trunk is essential during surgery of the parotid gland. Numerous landmarks have been researched and used. The relation between the facial nerve to two constant bony landmarks, the tip of the mastoid process and the central point of the transverse process of the atlas was investigated. Forty cadavers were dissected. A preauricular incision exposed the nerve trunk. Bony landmarks were identified and marked. The distance from the nerve trunk to the mastoid process and the atlas was measured. The mean distance between the mastoid process and nerve for the left was 9.18 ± 2.05 mm and for the right, 9.35 ± 1.67 mm. The mean distance between the atlas and the nerve for the left was 14.31 ± 3.59 mm and for the right, 13.76 ± 4.65 mm. Confidence intervals were determined. The importance of the aforementioned data revolves around minimizing the chance of injury to the facial nerve during surgery. The applicability of these landmarks needs to be studied in the clinical setting.
In order to deliver high-quality learning and teaching, the Open University (OU) has adopted an approach to developing its curriculum called OU Learning Design, which supports a consistent and structured design, specification and review process. It provides a simple set of tools and resources to assist teams in choosing and integrating an effective range of media and technologies, defining their pedagogic approach, and sharing good practice across the institution (Subotzky and Prinsloo 2011). The objective of this study was to apply OU Learning Design tools in the context of the largest distance education university in Africa (Unisa) to identify areas that could be changed in order to improve student outcomes and retention. Two Unisa first-level mathematics modules were evaluated and mapped using OU Learning Design approaches and tools to identify areas for improvement. Qualitative and quantitative data on students' educational experience in these modules and longitudinal academic progress data were used to better understand the challenges students are facing on those courses. The process uncovered areas where improvements need to be made and among the core recommendations were improvement of workload distribution across both modules, the timing of the examination period, and a greater variety of learning activities. These reflections will be used Greyling, Huntley, Reedy and Rotagen Improving distance learning mathematics modules 90 to inform the next "Plan" stage of the Action Research spiral.
This study among South African Negroids was undertaken, firstly, to determine the convergence of the facial muscles at the angle of the mouth and, secondly, to determine the presence or absence of a connective tissue nodule at the junction of the above-mentioned muscles (modiolus).
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