Project

Lymphatic system research and evaluating (digital) anatomical teaching tool efficiency

Code
bof/baf/4y/2024/01/484
Duration
01 January 2024 → 31 December 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Social sciences
    • Adult education
    • Methodology of pedagogical and educational research
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Medical imaging and therapy not elsewhere classified
    • Anatomy
Keywords
anatomy of the lymphatic system medical imaging translational anatomical research breast cancer microdissection anatomy education biomedical image analysis
 
Project description

A full body microsurgery set up for lymphatic anatomy research is being built. With the aid of this unique set up, different approaches to contrast the lymphatic system in the region from the neck to the arm pit can be tested. When contrast is injected into the lymphatic system, CT and micro CT scans will be used to create highly accurate 3D reconstructions of the lymphatic system in relation to the surrounding anatomy. These datasets can serve as basis for more accurate radiotherapy/oncological surgery approaches for breast cancer treatment.

Digital 3D teaching tool 'complete anatomy' was previously evaluated in a pilot study and showed promise in terms of better exam grades. By asking students to log study times for different study tool use (2D atlas, lecture slides, 3D applications, etc.) a more accurate view of student preference and study tool efficiency will be obtained. This can be used to advise future students and help decide on resource allocation for different study tools.