Identifying Rare Human Anomalies Through Students Directed Dissection at Alfaisal University: Case Report

Background: Dissection constitutes a fundamental attribute to learning, yet the limitations of resources oblige medical institutions sometimes to eradicate dissection. Alfaisal University is one of those institutions where the art of student-centred dissection is practiced under the supervision of well-trained faculty. It has been deduced that cadaveric dissection correlates well with the objectives of Alfaisal’s curriculum which is based on problem based learning and full comprehension of the clinical correlation. Consequently, this study elicits the importance of dissection in the field of medicine and emphasizes the concept of biological variations and demonstrates common pathological findings. Objectives: 1) To reinforce and bolster traditional wet dissection among medical students. 2) To integrate some of the learning needs of clinical anatomy with anatomical variation and pathology observed through student-directed dissection. Methods: Cadavers were dissected during student-centred integrated anatomy resource sessions at Alfaisal University. During dissection, students observed anomalies in some of the cadavers that provoked high yield of interest and triggered the sense of exploration among medical students. Results: Anomalies discovered include: unusual origin of brachiocephalic trunk, large hiatus hernia and Giacomini vein. Conclusion: Despite being a demanding exercise, dissection constitutes an essential technique in acquiring a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of anatomy. Dissection not only plays an effective technique in establishing a comprehensive understanding of anatomy but also serves an everlasting experience initiated by meticulous, diligent students.