Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students

Background:Clay-modeling in anatomy education is an engaging activity that complements cadaveric dissections. The post-COVID-19 cadaver shortage further necessitates alternative practical modalities. Methods:A student-centred clay-modeling practical activity was developed towards the study of the...

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Main Authors: Toni Chiappini, Janine C Correia, Adam M Taylor, Jan van der Merwe, Quenton Wessels
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Medical Students
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2564
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author Toni Chiappini
Janine C Correia
Adam M Taylor
Jan van der Merwe
Quenton Wessels
author_facet Toni Chiappini
Janine C Correia
Adam M Taylor
Jan van der Merwe
Quenton Wessels
author_sort Toni Chiappini
collection DOAJ
description Background:Clay-modeling in anatomy education is an engaging activity that complements cadaveric dissections. The post-COVID-19 cadaver shortage further necessitates alternative practical modalities. Methods:A student-centred clay-modeling practical activity was developed towards the study of the muscles of facial expression due to a shortage of cadaveric material. Student feedback in the form of a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions. Results:Thematic analysis was manually performed to generate the primary and secondary themes associated with the open-ended questions. Four themes were generated: fun, collaboration, active learning, and bittersweet. Closed-ended questions revealed that respondents found the activity motivational and enjoyable. Feeling around the disassembly of students' anatomical models was of particular interest. Some students expressed emotions of sadness and others stated that they felt devastated. Conclusion:The outcome of this study presents the opportunity for further work to link discussions around the humanistic considerations of anatomy and the study of human remains, utilizing clay modelling as a crucial resource.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
record_format Article
series International Journal of Medical Students
spelling doaj-art-62ee5a8671af4cc7a9ae188a1bf7a6972025-08-20T01:50:22ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghInternational Journal of Medical Students2076-63272025-03-01Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical StudentsToni Chiappini0Janine C Correia1Adam M Taylor2Jan van der Merwe3Quenton Wessels4Six-year medical student. University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.BMedSc, BMedSc (Hons), MMedSc (Anatomy & Cell Morphology), MPhil (Health Professions Education). Stellenbosch University, South AfricaBSc. (Hons), Ph.D., SFHEA, NTF. Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.B.Med.Sc., BSc. (Hons), Dip.HE. University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.Ph.D. (Anatomy), Ph.D. (Health Sci Educ), FHEA. University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. Background:Clay-modeling in anatomy education is an engaging activity that complements cadaveric dissections. The post-COVID-19 cadaver shortage further necessitates alternative practical modalities. Methods:A student-centred clay-modeling practical activity was developed towards the study of the muscles of facial expression due to a shortage of cadaveric material. Student feedback in the form of a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions. Results:Thematic analysis was manually performed to generate the primary and secondary themes associated with the open-ended questions. Four themes were generated: fun, collaboration, active learning, and bittersweet. Closed-ended questions revealed that respondents found the activity motivational and enjoyable. Feeling around the disassembly of students' anatomical models was of particular interest. Some students expressed emotions of sadness and others stated that they felt devastated. Conclusion:The outcome of this study presents the opportunity for further work to link discussions around the humanistic considerations of anatomy and the study of human remains, utilizing clay modelling as a crucial resource. http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2564clay-modellingAnatomy educationPracticalFacial muscles
spellingShingle Toni Chiappini
Janine C Correia
Adam M Taylor
Jan van der Merwe
Quenton Wessels
Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students
International Journal of Medical Students
clay-modelling
Anatomy education
Practical
Facial muscles
title Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students
title_full Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students
title_fullStr Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students
title_full_unstemmed Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students
title_short Sculpting the Science: Teaching Anatomy of the Facial Muscles to Medical Students
title_sort sculpting the science teaching anatomy of the facial muscles to medical students
topic clay-modelling
Anatomy education
Practical
Facial muscles
url http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2564
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AT adammtaylor sculptingthescienceteachinganatomyofthefacialmusclestomedicalstudents
AT janvandermerwe sculptingthescienceteachinganatomyofthefacialmusclestomedicalstudents
AT quentonwessels sculptingthescienceteachinganatomyofthefacialmusclestomedicalstudents