title: Posterior approach to kidney dissection: An old surgical approach for integrated medical curricula.
abstract: Integrated medical curricular changes are altering the historical regional anatomy approach to abdominal dissection. The renal system is linked physiologically and biochemically to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems; yet, anatomists often approach the urinary system as part of the abdomen and pelvic regions. As part of an integrated curriculum, the renal system must be covered relatively quickly after the thorax in the cadaver laboratory, often without the opportunity to fully appreciate the rest of the abdominal contents. This article provides dissection instructions that follow one of the historical surgical approaches for nephrectomy, including preservation of the posterior abdominal wall neurovasclature. Dissection procedures were developed for first-year medical students, intending this posterior approach to the kidneys to be their first introduction to the renal system. It has been successfully implemented with the first-year medical students at the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Utilizing this posterior approach to the kidney enabled the study of the anatomy of the kidneys, suprarenal glands, and renal vessels, as well as the muscles of the lumbar spine, while maintaining the integrity of the anterior abdominal wall and peritoneal cavity for future gastrointestinal and reproductive system-based dissections.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine.
authors: Frank J
authors: FJ
authors: Daly
authors: Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Bolender
authors: Department of Surgery, Grand Rapids Educational Partners, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
authors: Deepali
authors: D
authors: Jain
authors: Department of Surgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.
authors: Sheryl
authors: S
authors: Uyeda
authors: Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors: Todd M
authors: TM
authors: Hoagland
mesh_terms: D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: anatomy integration; gross anatomy education; integrated anatomy curriculum; kidney dissection; medical curriculum; medical education; renal system dissection