Anatomy of the thorax: systemic and topographic approaches combined with the latest medical imaging approaches

Developer: Ivica Grković, Professor of Topographic Anatomy and Neuromorphology at the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split

Facilitator: Ivica Grković

Purpose: To demonstrate the organisational specifics of thoracic anatomy by applying both systemic and topographic (regional) approaches. To demonstrate why and how these two approaches are used and talked about in clinical practice. To demonstrate how modern imaging techniques (CT, MRI, ultrasound) visualise living anatomy, giving it an important functional perspective.

Description/Structure: This workshop will be divided into three parts. In the first part the ‘construction philosophy’ of thoracic anatomy will be explained and demonstrated. The second part will demonstrate the power of medical imaging (radiological anatomy) in medical practice. All important anatomical landmarks and features will be displayed using imaging methods. In the third part a set of examples from clinical practice will be presented and discussion will be encouraged. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions that bring language expressions to the forefront.

Let’s consider the anterior interventricular coronary artery vs. the left anterior descending artery. How does high resolution chest CT differ from ‘normal’ CT? We‘ll also examine ‘windowing’ in chest CT and what it achieves.

Who should attend?: Editors and translators at any level who have interest in this part of the anatomy and/or clinical practice involving the thorax can benefit from the demonstration of specifics of clinically applied anatomy.

Outcome skills: Participants will understand the logic of both structural and functional descriptions of thoracic anatomy and also to understand why, when and how thoracic imaging techniques are used to help in solving clinical cases. Participants will learn specifics of anatomical and clinical terminology used in describing both normal and abnormal features of thoracic anatomy.

Pre-meeting information:

  • Don’t hesitate to bring examples of text situations in which a lack of understanding of chest anatomy caused confusion and problems in translating, editing or interpreting information and reflect on how an understanding of anatomy can help.
  • Try to assess usefulness of wide range of excellent English textbooks of anatomy (from Gray’s to Moore’s).

About the facilitator: Ivica Grković is professor of topographic anatomy and neuromorphology at the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split. He is one of four principle authors of AN@TOMEDIA, an interactive educational program for anatomy students being developed in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Australia, where he spent 12 years teaching anatomy and neuroscience.