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Clinical Anatomy

SURG 203
📅 Year 1 Autumn
🏷️ Foundations
⭐ 5 units

Overview

Clinical Anatomy provides a comprehensive exploration of human gross anatomy with emphasis on clinically relevant structures and correlations. Using a regional approach, you will learn the anatomy of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and head and neck through prosection and cadaveric dissection.

This course integrates 3D visualization with hands-on dissection to develop spatial understanding essential for clinical practice. Every anatomical structure is contextualized within its clinical significance—from surgical approaches to imaging interpretation.

Complete Anatomy Integration

We preload Complete Anatomy on the Mac Mini for immersive 3D exploration. Rotate hearts to understand coronary distribution, zoom on the brachial plexus to trace nerve branches, and annotate renal vessels to prepare for surgical approaches. Pair one screen with the 3D model and another with your Anki flashcard deck for optimal learning.

💡 Tip: During dissection lab, use the 3D models on the monitor to compare with your actual specimen before and after cutting.

Lectures

Reading & Resources

These resources provide different perspectives on anatomy—from classical text to interactive 3D models and free educational videos.

Problem Sets

Work through these anatomical challenges to deepen your understanding and prepare for exams.

  1. Brachial Plexus Injury: Trace the path of the radial nerve from its origin in the posterior cord through the axilla, arm, and forearm. Describe the consequences of an axillary nerve injury sustained during shoulder dislocation.
  2. Carpal Tunnel Contents: List all structures passing through the carpal tunnel and explain why median nerve compression causes specific motor and sensory deficits in the hand.
  3. Rotator Cuff Anatomy: Identify the four rotator cuff muscles, their innervation, and actions. Explain why supraspinatus is most commonly torn.
  4. Axillary Artery Branches: Describe the three parts of the axillary artery and their major branches. Explain the clinical significance of axillary artery puncture for arteriography.
  1. Femoral Triangle: Identify the borders of the femoral triangle and list the structures passing through it. Explain why this triangle is clinically important for vascular access and hernia repair.
  2. Sciatic Nerve Path: Trace the sciatic nerve from the sacral plexus through the gluteal region and posterior thigh. Describe the motor deficits from a sciatic nerve injury at different levels.
  3. Compartments of the Leg: Describe the three compartments of the leg and their contents. Explain the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of compartment syndrome.
  4. Ankle Ligaments and Inversion Injury: Name the medial and lateral ankle ligaments. Explain which ligaments are damaged in inversion ankle sprains and why.
  1. Cardiac Circulation: Trace the path of blood from the right atrium through the pulmonary circuit and back to the left ventricle. Identify the coronary arteries and explain their distribution to the myocardium.
  2. Inguinal Hernia Types: Compare direct and indirect inguinal hernias based on Hesselbach's triangle anatomy. Explain why indirect hernias are more common and more prone to incarceration.
  3. Peritoneal Attachments: Draw and label the peritoneal attachments of abdominal organs. Explain why some organs are retroperitoneal and the clinical significance of this.
  4. Portal Circulation: Trace the portal vein from the GI tract through the liver. Explain how portal hypertension develops and list the collateral pathways.
  1. Cranial Nerve Exit Points: For each of the 12 cranial nerves, identify their brainstem exit and skull foramina. Explain the clinical significance of this neuroanatomy for localization.
  2. Laryngeal Innervation: Explain the innervation of the larynx by the vagus nerve. Describe the motor and sensory losses from recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.
  3. Neck Triangles: Draw and label the triangles of the neck. Describe the contents of each and explain why the posterior triangle is surgically important.
  4. Arterial Supply to the Brain: Trace the carotid and vertebral arteries to their intracranial branches. Explain the territories supplied by the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries.

Exams & Quiz

Test your knowledge with this practice quiz. Each question includes an explanation to deepen your understanding.

Question 1 of 5
Which nerve is most at risk during surgery in the posterior triangle of the neck?
The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) crosses the posterior triangle superficially and is vulnerable during lymph node biopsy or other surgical procedures in this region. Injury results in inability to shrug the shoulder and weakness of sternocleidomastoid function.
Question 2 of 5
The thoracodorsal nerve innervates which muscle?
The thoracodorsal nerve (C6-C8, a branch of the axillary nerve via the radial nerve) innervates the latissimus dorsi. It runs along the posterior wall of the axilla. Injury results in loss of shoulder extension, adduction, and medial rotation.
Question 3 of 5
Which structure passes through the foramen ovale?
The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) exits the skull through the foramen ovale. The middle meningeal artery passes through the foramen spinosum, while V2 exits via the foramen rotundum.
Question 4 of 5
The left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops around which structure?
The left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the arch of the aorta, specifically around the ligamentum arteriosum, before ascending to the larynx. The right recurrent nerve loops around the right subclavian artery. This is clinically important during cardiac and thoracic surgery.
Question 5 of 5
Which ligament connects the medial malleolus to the talus, calcaneus, and navicular?
The deltoid (medial collateral) ligament is a strong, fan-shaped ligament on the medial side of the ankle that connects the medial malleolus to the talus, calcaneus, and navicular. It is stronger than the lateral ligaments and less commonly injured.

Flashcards

Master anatomical structures with this interactive flashcard deck. Click any card to flip it. Use the Anki export button to integrate with your spaced repetition system.

Click to reveal answer

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Simulations & Interactive Models

Run code simulations to visualize complex anatomical structures. The brachial plexus diagram below demonstrates how to create educational visualizations.

Python: Brachial Plexus Visualization 
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.patches as mpatches

fig, ax = plt.subplots(1, 1, figsize=(12, 8))
ax.set_xlim(0, 10)
ax.set_ylim(0, 8)
ax.set_title('Brachial Plexus - Simplified Diagram', fontsize=14, fontweight='bold')

# Roots
roots = {'C5': 7, 'C6': 6, 'C7': 5, 'C8': 4, 'T1': 3}
for name, y in roots.items():
    ax.annotate(name, xy=(1, y), fontsize=11, fontweight='bold',
                bbox=dict(boxstyle='round,pad=0.3', facecolor='#FFE0B2'))

# Trunks
trunks = {'Upper (C5-C6)': 6.5, 'Middle (C7)': 5, 'Lower (C8-T1)': 3.5}
for name, y in trunks.items():
    ax.annotate(name, xy=(3, y), fontsize=9,
                bbox=dict(boxstyle='round,pad=0.3', facecolor='#C8E6C9'))

# Terminal branches
branches = {
    'Musculocutaneous': 7, 'Axillary': 6,
    'Median': 5, 'Radial': 4, 'Ulnar': 3
}
for name, y in branches.items():
    ax.annotate(name, xy=(7, y), fontsize=10, fontweight='bold',
                bbox=dict(boxstyle='round,pad=0.3', facecolor='#BBDEFB'))

ax.set_axis_off()
plt.tight_layout()
plt.savefig('brachial_plexus.png', dpi=150)
print('Brachial plexus diagram created!')
(Ready to run)

💡 On your Mac Mini with Jupyter Notebook, copy the code above and run it to generate anatomy visualizations. This simulation creates a structured flow diagram of the brachial plexus organization.

Study Tools & Progress Tracking

Track your progress through the anatomy curriculum. Check off items as you complete dissections and review sessions.

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All Resources

Complete list of self-study resources organized by type. Mix and match based on your learning style.