Enhancing the Value of Organ Silicone Casts in Human Gross Anatomy Education

Abstract

Medical students studying human gross anatomy often have difficulty conceptualizing the internal three-dimensional structure of organs and the pattern of distribution of blood vessels. Students are further challenged with comprehending the orientation and spatial relationship different organs have to one another as they function as integral parts of systems. Although tracheobronchial and heart casts of animals have been produced and have proven to be valuable tools in veterinary medical education (Henry, et al., 1992, 1998), few efforts have been made to develop physical models of these internal structures in humans for use in medical education. In this work, colored silicone casts of a human heart, tracheobronchial tree, and brain ventricles were made from unembalmed organs. Major vessels were cannulated and appropriately colored silicone was injected. Specimens were macerated to yield resilient, anatomically exact replica of the internal architecture such as cardiac chambers, lung vessels and airways, and the brain ventricular system.