A Medical Student’s Understanding of Anatomy Through Variation and Perseverance
February 2025 | Vol. 69, No. 1
Written by Lauren Raziano, OMS-I, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
The experience of the anatomy lab is a rite of passage in medical school, a humbling, extraordinary journey into the intricacies of life itself.
The lab was overwhelming. The clinical smell of formaldehyde, the stark lighting, and the responsibility to care for a cadaver. As I looked around at other students who are also experiencing this environment for the first time, I realized that the lab is more than a classroom; it’s a space where the boundaries of science and humanity blur. I remember standing with my table mates, asking myself the question, How do you approach a person who has selflessly given their body for your education? But as I began, layer by layer, the fear gave way to focus, and with each lab, I uncovered both anatomical structures and parts of myself I had yet to understand.
There were moments of frustration when I couldn’t name a nerve or distinguish one muscle from another. I had to admit when I could not orient myself to the body before taking the next step, which gave me the confidence to ask for help from the anatomy assistants and professors. In these times, I learned the value of patience and persistence. While completing a pectoral dissection lab, I exposed the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral groove and proudly declared it my anatomy gold star. As I progressed through my musculoskeletal course, I grew more confident in what I knew. I learned that growth isn’t always linear—sometimes, it’s revisiting the same path until clarity emerges.
Anatomy lab also taught me the importance of teamwork. My friends and I often came into the lab after hours to identify structures like the internal pudendal artery or trace the sciatic nerve pathway, celebrating when we correctly identified these items on our practical exams. These moments reminded me that medicine is a collaborative endeavor founded on shared knowledge and mutual respect.
Although we are taught that comparison in medical school can contribute to imposter syndrome, in the anatomy lab, comparison is critical for understanding that each person is physically unique. The anatomical variation that each person has tells a story about humility. Every structure, from the largest organ to the smallest vessel, told a story of resilience and adaptation. The human body is a testament to the incredible capacity for survival and healing. As I studied it, I found parallels in my own journey—adapting to the rigorous demands of medical school, balancing stress, and finding strength in vulnerability.
The cadaver before me was a bridge to the past—a reminder of the pioneers who first dared to study the human body. Their courage and curiosity laid the foundation for everything we now take for granted. Dissecting anatomy is not just about understanding the human body; it’s about embracing the complexity of life and the resilience it demands. As I continue this journey, I carry these lessons with me, grateful for the growth they have inspired and the privilege of learning from those who have given so much.
Reviewed by Peter F. Bidey, DO, MSEd, FACOFP, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
