The Clinical Relevance of Teaching the Medial Line Theme of the Upper Limb to Future Healthcare Professionals

Objective This project investigated the current common overview approaches to upper limb anatomy teaching and suggests an alternative technique. Introduction The overview of the upper limb is often described as arm, forearm and hand regions, and subdivided into anterior and posterior compartments. This method guarantees all structures of the lower limb are taught. Virtually all, healthcare institutions have had to distill anatomy into accelerated courses. Methods Literature search was conducted on teaching techniques of the upper limb and morphology of 75 embalmed cadavers was observed and analyzed with correlation to common clinical conditions and techniques. Results Literature review revealed no specific teaching techniques. Texts/atlases commonly revealed compartment and/or systems layout. Dissections revealed an overwhelming number of clinically important structures along the medial line of the upper limb or medial side structures. Reinforcement or stability structures were emphasized along the medial line versus the lateral line. Venous access and arterial supply are bilateral. Discussion Anatomy courses have resulted in less student‐instructor contact time. Specific techniques would aid the efficiency of learning. This project demonstrates that emphasizing upper limb structures along the medial line would be a useful technique for teaching future clinicians.