How to Succeed in Anatomy

Overall Structure of Anatomy in M1 Curriculum

Anatomy sessions are embedded in certain blocks throughout the M1 year (Blocks 2, 3, 4, &5).

Format

A typical Anatomy session consists of:

• pre-work (90 minutes per session),

• Canvas quiz (completed before 8am of each session),

• large group active learning session,

• dissection lab & peer presentation.

Pre-work: Pre-work consists of reviewing the learning objectives, lab manual, and list of structures of the session. Additional web resources for each session are available to reinforce concepts (practice questions, QuizLink, etc.), and these are highly recommended. 

Canvas quiz: After completion of pre-work, take the Canvas anatomy quiz before attending large group. All students are required to take the Canvas quiz.

Active learning sessions: All students of the dissecting team are required to attend (the non-dissecting team is very welcome and recommended to attend). These sessions will be in the lecture hall and will involve the use of an active learning platform (iClicker Cloud) to review and discuss the main anatomical concepts covered in each session. Please come prepared with a working device to use iClicker Cloud to obtain the points available in that session. There is a MCQ assignment that can be completed if necessary for the non-dissecting team.

Dissection lab & peer presentation: Two dissection teams (team 1 & team 2) are assigned to a lab table. The first digit in an anatomy lab table represents the anatomy lab in which the table is found. The second digit in an anatomy lab table represents the table & donor. The assigned team has 2.5 hours to complete the dissection, locate the items on the list of structures, and review their work with the non-dissecting team in the final 30 minutes of lab. This review is informal but required, and may be re-scheduled at the convenience of the whole team. Faculty and teaching assistants are available for guidance during the times of 9-12. Labs are open to students at nearly all times for dissection and review (unless noted in an announcement), but it is only during the times of 9-12pm that Anatomy faculty will be in the labs. Learning outcomes of dissection lab & peer presentation include:

1. understanding and recognizing 3-dimensional relational human anatomy;

2. appreciating typical variation among individuals;

3. synthesizing knowledge of typical anatomy to explain clinical symptoms and dysfunction

4. developing skills to work effectively in teams;

5. developing effective collaborative skills and professionalism.

Assessment

Anatomy learning objectives are assessed either via relevant quizzes and exam questions, or via second order questions on lab practicals. Only items from the list of structures for all sessions within a block may be assessed on the lab practicals. Lab practicals are typically scheduled for the final Friday afternoon of the penultimate week of a Block. 

Professionalism

Professional responsibilities of students in Anatomy include (but are not limited to):

1. Treating anatomical donors with the utmost care and respect.

2. Treating colleagues, faculty, and staff with courtesy and respect.

3. Attending assigned large groups, labs, and peer presentations. If you cannot attend, please make arrangements to switch sessions with a member of the opposite dissection team. Please inform Drs. Alsup & Fox (m1anatomy@umich.edu) and the entire lab table of these occurrences. Last-minute issues preventing attendance should be immediately communicated to Drs. Alsup & Fox and the Medical Administration team for appropriate remediation.

4. Preparing for each session, and completing the dissection to the best of their abilities. 

5. Maintaining a clean work environment.

6. Communicating any issues, problems, or barriers to either safety or learning with faculty.

7. Upholding the Medical School's Honor Code.