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Anatomy Segment of Keystone Fundamentals

August 12, 2024-August 20, 2024

Content Lead
Lydia Strattan, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pathology
les222@pitt.edu

Course Description

This course component within Keystone Fundamentals examines human gross anatomy with a focus on clinical relevance. Beyond this initial three-week course, students will return to the anatomy lab throughout their preclinical years to further their understanding of anatomy in the context of specific organ systems including Cardiology, Pulmonology, Reproduction, Musculoskeletal, Neurology among others.

Course Objectives

  1. To understand the three-dimensional relationships of the structures in the thorax and abdomen to one another and to the body wall.
  2. To illustrate and describe the structural and functional parts of the nervous system
  3. To draw the branching patterns of the vasculature of the trunk and limbs
  4. To understand the definition of radiology and the role of medical imaging in patient care
  5. To understand the boney structures of the head and trunk and how they relate to soft tissues
  6. To describe the basic functions of each cranial nerve
  7. To list the adult structures of the foregut, midgut, and hindgut and their nervous and vascular supplies
  8. To describe the basic sensory and motor deficits resulting from lesions of the brachial or lumbosacral plexuses

Educational Methods​

  • Independent learning (pre-recorded videos, web-based modules)
  • Lab introductions each day to connect independent learning to in-person activities
  • Virtual dissection software on iPads and other AR/VR tools
  • Clinical demonstrations by clinicians from different specialties
  • Review sessions and mock exams led by teaching assistants
  • Human donor dissection
  • Formative and Summative assessments

Evaluation

Evaluation for Anatomy phase of this course is based on a cumulative Summative exam. The Summative exam consists of both a multiple choice exam and a lab practical.

Requests for excused absences should be submitted via Elentra. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.