Development of didactic material for the study of cardiac vasculature

Abstract

Practical classes in Human Anatomy provide an understanding of body structures in three dimensions, the relationships between their parts, and the development of clinical skills. However, the scarcity of cadaveric materials and the cost of synthetic pieces limit their use in teaching. This experience report describes the development of a three-dimensional, low-cost, easily reproducible didactic model by first-semester medical students at the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD) intended for teaching cardiac vascularization. The heart and great vessels were modeled in clay, painted, and coated with a varnish finish. The coronary vessels were represented by crochet threads fixed with instant adhesive to the model, which was mounted on a support made of wood and an iron rod. At the end of the semester, the model was presented to a class of 40 first-semester students and was subsequently kept in the institution’s Human Anatomy laboratory to support the learning of future classes. The resource was evaluated through observational appraisal by a faculty member. The model enabled three-dimensional visualization of cardiac vascular topography, allowing correlations with atlas images and the discussion of relevant clinical situations, such as the location of branches susceptible to occlusion. In addition to its technical feasibility and the possibility of replication in institutions with limited resources, it is concluded that the resource suggests potential for incorporation into practical classes, teaching projects, and extension/outreach activities, as well as for other pedagogical applications.