Anatomy's next top model for “model” physiologists

Many students complain that a course in anatomy often seems like an endless list of independent, unrelated facts; a series of unrelated phenomena where faculty encourage the memorization of detailed, often trivial information. However, our responsibility as teachers is to take these seemingly independent, unrelated facts and place the facts into an appropriate context. Thus, a course in anatomy must involve an understanding of normal structure and its role in normal function. This requires a profound motivation for the teacher to focus on concepts that require logic, reasoning, deduction, and problem solving; while moving away from memorizing the names, origins, insertions, and innervations of detailed structures. Anatomy should not become an exercise in memorization but remain a dynamic science involving the integration of concepts. Making anatomical casts or models by injecting solidifying substances into organs is a constructivist approach to achieving this goal. Therefore, we used Silastic sealant for making post‐mortem casts of the bronchial tree and coronary circulation of rats, pigs and dogs. The casts provided a 3 dimensional, clear view of the series of rapidly branching tubes and arteries that became narrower, shorter, and more numerous as they penetrated deeper into the lung and heart, respectively. This relatively simple and inexpensive procedure has important applications for the constructivist approach to studying cardiovascular and respiratory morphology and it engaged, inspired and motivated the students.