Barlow, John M.

The increasing dependence on radiologic diagnostic modalities in clinical practice has necessitated innovative teaching methods that introduce radiology into early medical curriculum. At Mayo Medical School cadaveric CT images are integrated into the first year gross anatomy course. Using post‐preservation, non‐contrast full body CT scans of their cadavers, medical students are able to correlate radiologic images to their dissection specimen. The AquariusNET thin client software used to view the images provides students numerous options for image manipulation including standard and oblique sagittal and coronal images and three‐dimensional renderings. Students are requested to record interesting findings from the imaging studies as part of an autopsy report. They are also provided with daily radiology learning objectives that require them to visualize specific anatomic structures. At the end of the course, students were comfortable accessing the cadaver CT data, correlating gross and CT anatomy and appreciating relationships of anatomic structures. They enjoyed interactions with radiology faculty and were more prepared to evaluate radiologic examinations. Grant Funding Source : Department of Anatomy