Four stations, countless insights: Upper School students explore human organ systems

After studying the nervous system, Anatomy and Physiology students dissected sheep brains last week, allowing them to see the relationship between structure and function. Did you know that most of the structures in a sheep’s brain are highly homologous to structures in the brains of other placental mammals? That includes humans! 

This week, our students had the opportunity to visit the University of New England’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. During their visit, they learned about the program and explored the gross anatomy lab, where first-year medical students guided them through four interactive learning stations. Students deepened their understanding of the structure and function of various organs by examining donated human tissues.

At the filtration station, students studied the liver and kidneys, observing real specimens to understand their vital roles in the body. The knee station allowed them to explore key ligaments and tendons, comparing a natural human knee with one that had undergone replacement. The circulatory system station provided students with the opportunity to look closely at the heart and lungs, underscoring their cooperative functions. Students completed their visit at the neurology station, where they observed the brain and spinal cord, gaining further insights into the complexities of the nervous system. This hands-on experience reinforced concepts students learned during their sheep brain dissections while providing them with an invaluable perspective on human anatomy in a real-world medical setting.