Episode 128: How is human anatomy taught and researched?

The Arch and Anth Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Stephen Maclean (University of Edinburgh) is on the podcast to talk about his experiences of transitioning from an anatomy student to an anatomy researcher to now an anatomy lecturer, co-ordinating classes on general anatomy, human osteology and the musculoskeletal system.

How is anatomy typically taught through lectures and dissections, so that students learn the structure and function of the different body parts? What practical exercises are involved in order to train future doctors and forensic practitioners in the ways of skeletal identification? How have bones been named by anatomists in the past and how has Stephen been sharing this interesting etymological history in the field of anatomy on Twitter lately?

We also talk about Stephen's recently-completed PhD research on skeletal growth in the pelvis, specifically looking at the part of the pelvis known as the ischium forming the back and lower part of the overall hip bone. By understanding how the pelvis develops, particularly in relation to the hip joints where the pelvis meets the legs, what forensic or medical implications may there be following such research?

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

Stephen can be found on Twitter if anyone has questions for him.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help support the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or visit the Patreon page for details on how to give a little each month to this public anthropology and archaeology project!