Human cadaveric prosections are a traditional, effective, and highly appreciated modality of anatomy learning. Plastic models are an alternative teaching modality, though few studies examine their effectiveness in learning of upper limb musculoskeletal anatomy. The purpose of this study is to investigate which modality is associated with a better outcome, as assessed by students' performance on examinations. Overall, 60 undergraduate medical students without previous knowledge of anatomy participated in the study. Students were assigned into two groups. Group 1 attended lectures and studied from cadaveric prosections (n = 30) and Group 2 attended lectures and used plastic models in the laboratory (n = 30). A knowledge assessment, including examination with tag questions (spot test) and written multiple‐choice questions, was held after the end of the study. Students' perceptions were also investigated via an anonymous questionnaire. No significant difference in students' performance was observed between the group using prosections and the group using plastic models (32.2 ± 14.7 vs 35.0 ± 14.8, respectively; P = 0.477). Similarly, no statistically significant difference was found regarding students' satisfaction from using each learning modality (P = 0.441). Plastic models may be a valuable supplementary modality in learning upper limb musculoskeletal anatomy, despite their limitations. Easy to use and with no need for maintaining facilities, they are highly appreciated by students and can be useful when preparing for the use of cadaveric specimens.

中文翻译：

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从预期的尸体标本与塑料模型中学习解剖学：上肢解剖学的比较研究。

人体尸体解剖是一种传统的，有效的，备受赞赏的解剖学学习方式。塑性模型是一种可供选择的教学方式，尽管很少有研究检验其在学习上肢肌肉骨骼解剖学中的有效性。这项研究的目的是调查哪种模态与更好的结果相关联，该模态由学生在考试中的表现来评估。总体而言，有60位没有解剖学知识的医学专业的本科生参加了这项研究。将学生分为两组。第1组参加讲座并从尸体尸检中研究（n  = 30），第2组参加讲座并在实验室中使用塑料模型（n = 30）。研究结束后，进行了知识评估，包括带有标签问题的考试（现场测试）和书面多项选择题。还通过匿名调查表调查了学生的看法。使用护栏的组和使用塑料模型的组之间，学生的表现没有显着差异（分别为32.2±14.7和35.0±14.8；P  = 0.477）。同样，使用每种学习方式在学生满意度方面也没有发现统计学上的显着差异（P = 0.441）。塑性模型尽管有其局限性，但却可能是学习上肢肌肉骨骼解剖学的有价值的补充方式。易于使用且无需维护设施，它们受到学生的高度评价，在准备使用尸体标本时非常有用。