Indian Journal of Anatomy

Today teaching and learning in medical curriculum have moved out beyond textbooks and classrooms into the digital world. According to Ellaway & Masters, “e-learning encompasses a pedagogical approach that typically aspires to be flexible, engaging and learner– centered; one that encourages interaction (staff–staff, staff–student, student–student), and collaboration and communication, often asynchronously (though not exclusively so).” E-learning should blend with, and complement didactic teaching learning methods. A blended learning environment compared with a traditional lecture setting is more fulfilling and gives a constant satisfaction as compared to traditional teaching methods. Medical students coming from varied backgrounds, find the study of Anatomy difficult, as there are a lot of new concepts and terminologies to be understood and memorized. Along with it the vast curriculum and the reduced duration of the course adds to their misery. Available resources like textbooks, workbooks or atlases do not allow accessing all anatomical structures or clinical inputs as well as the latest updates. With advances in technology, electronic learning can solve the insufficiencies experienced by such students and boost anatomy learning. The article traces an E-learning environment through various websites in the study of Anatomy and its advantages over traditional teaching methods

Introduction: As gall bladder is often a common site of open and laparoscopic procedures, the aim of the study was to note the different congenital anomalies of Gall bladder in the adult cadavers which can provide relevant information to the surgeons and radiologists performing diagnostic and therapeutic interventions at this region. The embryological basis and clinical implications of variations are discussed. Materials and Methods: Study was carried out on 75 gall bladders of formalin fixed cadavers in department of Anatomy at K.J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai. The studies were carried out in the period from July 2019 to August 2021. Following parameters were noted: 1) shape 2) external morphology 3) dimensions of gall bladder which included measurement of length and breadth. Transverse diameter at the level of body of gall bladder and length from the tip of fundus to the neck of gall bladder. Observation and Discussion: In 48 specimens, gall bladder was pear shaped. Other shapes observed were Cylindrical, Hourglass, Flask shaped and Irregular. In 1 specimen, the gall bladder was partially intrahepatic. A very prominent Hartmann’s pouch was observed in 22 specimens. Length of Gall bladder ranged between 5.3 cms to 10.2 cms and transverse diameter ranged between 2.8 cms and 5 cms. Different positions of the fundus in relation to inferior border of liver were also noted. Conclusion: Anatomical variations of Gall bladder become vital during surgical settings. Congenital anomalies and anatomical variations related to the gallbladder and extra hepatic biliary tree though not common but can be of clinical importance as failure to recognize them during operative procedures may lead to inadvertent complications. It is of greatest importance to laparoscopic surgeons during cholecystectomy to prevent alarming consequences as failure to recognise them can lead to iatrogenic injuries and increase morbidity and mortality. Every surgeon should assess for these anomalies before any operative procedures

The foramen magnum (FM) is a unique and complex anatomical opening in the base of the skull,which the posterior cranial fossa communicates with the vertebral canal. It is also related to a number of pathological conditions, including Chiari malformations, various tumours, and occipital dysplasias. The study aimed to compare and evaluate the foramen magnummorphology in dry skulls and CT scan images. Material and methods: The morphology of the foramen magnum was assessed in 118 adult non-pathological dry human skulls and 3D computer tomography images in 118 individuals (66 male, 52 female) aged 18–75 years. Result: the incidence of various shapes of the foramen magnum was observed the most common shape was oval (33.89%) in skulls, followed by round (15.25%), tetrahedral (13.55%), pentagonal (7.32%), hexagonal (16.94%) and irregular (12.71%). The mean anteroposterior 33.76 ±2.1mm & 28.09+ 1.9 mm transverse diameter of the foramen magnum. The minimum and maximum values for AP diameter were 31.78 & 39.13. Inthe CT scan study, the mean anteroposterior diameter of FM in the male 35.96± 3.7 and 33.85±3.5 in females. The transverse diameter in males 30.38±3.5 and 27.83±2.5 in females. The FMI was observed in males 85.48±9.1 and 83.26±9.0 in female. Discussion: Results provides baseline data for the anatomist and important information for neurosurgeons to approach the cranial base with maximum safety and minimum mortality and morbidity.