Moving to the future: Incorporating ulstrasound as a teaching tool of anatomy to medical imaging students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Undergraduate medical imaging education has recently moved towards making anatomy course content directly applicable to future clinical practice. Teaching anatomy to medical imaging students can prove challenging. Being a “dry subject” the link between theory and practice is not always appreciated by students. Furthermore, the use of cadaveric dissection as a teaching tool is rare [1]. In recent years with the advancement of technology, integration of imaging technology within anatomy courses in health science programmes, has become an essential component in supporting student learning [2]. Ultrasound is considered one of the safest imaging technologies, utilising ultrasonic waves to form images of the internal human anatomy[3]. Ultrasound provides realtime regional visualization of the gross anatomical structures in two-dimensional and non-irradiating ways to study the body organs[4]. This provides an opportunity for students to study living anatomy through ultrasound utilisation.