Animal Anatomy Teaching: New Concepts, Innovations and Applications

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Education, Veterinary Communication and Animal Behavior".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 3012

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Rampura Phul, Bathinda 151103, Punjab, India
Interests: veterinary anatomy; applied anatomy; functional morphology; applied anatomy landmarks
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue entitled "Animal Anatomy Teaching: New Concepts, Innovations and Applications" provides an in-depth examination of innovative pedagogical methods for teaching animal anatomy, a fundamental component of veterinary sciences. It emphasizes transitioning from conventional dissection and static models to advanced digital tools, including 3D modeling, augmented reality (AR), and virtual dissection platforms. These innovations offer ethical and accessible alternatives for instruction.

Contributors are invited to explore how technological advancements can enhance student engagement and learning outcomes through dynamic visualizations. This Issue addresses interdisciplinary strategies, including problem-based and collaborative learning, while tackling challenges in resource-limited environments.

Case studies from various educational institutions provide insights into curriculum and assessment redesign. This Special Issue is a valuable resource for educators aiming to modernize animal anatomy teaching while promoting inclusivity and scientific rigor.

Launched by the journal Veterinary Sciences, this Special Issue aims to compile the latest research findings and promote theoretical and practical advancements in animal anatomy education. It encourages the exploration of new concepts, innovations, and their applications in teaching this subject.

All papers submitted to this Special Issue will be reviewed by independent referees, and the final decisions will be made by a Veterinary Sciences Editorial Board Member who does not have any conflict of interests with the submission.

Dr. Om Prakash Choudhary
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal anatomy
  • artificial intelligence
  • teaching methodologies
  • technological advancements
  • 3D models
  • virtual dissection
  • student engagement

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 541 KB  
Article
Active Learning in Veterinary Anatomy Education: Investigating the Impact of Peer-Led Q&A Games and Multimedia on Student Perceptions
by Alejandra Escudero, María Socorro Simó-Martínez, María José Morera, Ana Navarro-Serra and María García-Manzanares
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(12), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12121174 - 9 Dec 2025
Viewed by 75
Abstract
This study explores the pedagogical impact of a student-led teaching strategy in veterinary education, centered on the implementation of a monitored question-and-answer (Q&A) game integrated with multimedia content. Conducted in a classroom setting, the intervention encouraged students to actively formulate and pose questions [...] Read more.
This study explores the pedagogical impact of a student-led teaching strategy in veterinary education, centered on the implementation of a monitored question-and-answer (Q&A) game integrated with multimedia content. Conducted in a classroom setting, the intervention encouraged students to actively formulate and pose questions to their peers—questions that could potentially appear on future assessments. The sessions were recorded and transformed into multimedia resources, enabling content review beyond the classroom. Results indicate a high student participation during practical activities (89.33%), as well as enhanced engagement with course material outside scheduled sessions. Students’ perceptions were collected in a survey (Cronbach’s alpha 0.920), revealing that more than sixty percent of answers fostered collaborative learning and anatomy assessments preparation. Moreover, fifty percent of students affirmed that the activity enhanced their participation and motivation and stimulated peer-to-peer interaction. These results could suggest that gamified student-led questioning combined with digital content creation can effectively support active learning and deeper understanding in veterinary anatomy education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Anatomy Teaching: New Concepts, Innovations and Applications)
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13 pages, 2690 KB  
Article
Anatomage Table Vet for Teaching the Triadan Dental Classification System: A Brief Trial and Feedback from the Students
by Ginevra Merluzzi, Francesca Mercati, Elvio Lepri, Andrea Verini Supplizi and Cecilia Dall’Aglio
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(12), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12121142 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 183
Abstract
Veterinary anatomy is essential in veterinary education and has traditionally been taught through lectures and cadaveric dissection. Recently, digital tools such as the Anatomage Table Vet (ATV) have emerged, offering new ways to visualize anatomical structures and enhance visuospatial skills. This study was [...] Read more.
Veterinary anatomy is essential in veterinary education and has traditionally been taught through lectures and cadaveric dissection. Recently, digital tools such as the Anatomage Table Vet (ATV) have emerged, offering new ways to visualize anatomical structures and enhance visuospatial skills. This study was conducted during the students’ first experience with the ATV and aimed to evaluate its effectiveness compared to traditional textbook-based methods for teaching the Triadan Dental Classification System (TDCS), as well as to gather feedback on its usability. Eighty-nine students attended a seminar on the ATV and completed a pre-test and post-test consisting of Likert-scale statements and theoretical questions. Students were divided into two groups: an ATV group and a textbook group. Both groups significantly improved their post-test scores, with no significant difference between them. Students’ self-reported confidence with both the ATV and the TDCS also increased. Feedback was generally positive, except for the ATV’s ease of use: most students found the tool stimulating, reporting that they would use it during their independent study time. In this trial, ATV use did not outperform textbooks. However, students reported high satisfaction with the teaching tool. Further research is recommended to understand how to effectively integrate it into the veterinary curriculum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Anatomy Teaching: New Concepts, Innovations and Applications)
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19 pages, 3636 KB  
Article
Smart Osteology: An AI-Powered Two-Stage System for Multi-Species Long Bone Detection and Classification Using YOLOv5 and CNN Architectures for Veterinary Anatomy Education and Forensic Applications
by İmdat Orhan
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080765 - 16 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1196
Abstract
In this study, bone detection was performed using the YOLO algorithm on a dataset comprising photographs of the scapula, humerus, and femur from cattle, horses, and dogs. Subsequently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were employed to classify both the bone type and the species. [...] Read more.
In this study, bone detection was performed using the YOLO algorithm on a dataset comprising photographs of the scapula, humerus, and femur from cattle, horses, and dogs. Subsequently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were employed to classify both the bone type and the species. Trained on a total of 26,148 images, the model achieved an accuracy rate of up to 97.6%. The system was designed to operate not only on mobile devices but also in an offline, “closed model” version, thereby enhancing its applicability in forensic medicine settings where data security is critical. Additionally, the application was structured as a virtual assistant capable of responding to users in both written and spoken formats and of generating output in PDF format. In this regard, this study presents a significant example of digital transformation in fields such as veterinary anatomy education, forensic medicine, archaeology, and crime scene investigation, providing a solid foundation for future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Anatomy Teaching: New Concepts, Innovations and Applications)
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12 pages, 1441 KB  
Article
Protective Effect of Tyrosol on BALF Cytology and Biochemistry in Rats Administered Intratracheal Bleomycin
by Elif Ekinci, Burak Karabulut, Canan Akdeniz Incili, Eren Cankaya, Ibrahim Seker and Necati Timurkaan
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080760 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 803
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the cytological and biochemical effects of tyrosol on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in an experimental lung injury model induced via intratracheal bleomycin (BLM) administration at 4 mg/kg. Tyrosol is a compound found in olive oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the cytological and biochemical effects of tyrosol on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in an experimental lung injury model induced via intratracheal bleomycin (BLM) administration at 4 mg/kg. Tyrosol is a compound found in olive oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activity, and there are no publications on its effect on broncho-alveolar lavage. A total of fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, BLM only, and BLM combined with tyrosol at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg. Following a two-week treatment period, BALF samples were collected and evaluated cytologically and biochemically. BLM administration led to significant increases in the proportions of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and epithelial cells (p < 0.05) and a decrease in macrophage percentages in BALF. Tyrosol treatment modulated these cellular alterations in a dose-dependent manner, with notable increases in macrophage ratios and reductions in inflammatory cells, particularly at 40 and 80 mg/kg doses. Furthermore, the presence of foamy macrophages—commonly observed in the BLM group—was found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner with tyrosol administration. Biochemical analyses showed that BLM significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.05), while reducing the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). Tyrosol treatment improved these parameters in a dose-dependent manner, thereby reducing oxidative stress. In cytokine analysis, BLM increased all proinflammatory cytokine levels, whereas tyrosol treatment, particularly at higher doses, significantly decreased IL-6 levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, tyrosol demonstrated notable protective effects against bleomycin-induced lung injury by exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions at the BALF level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Anatomy Teaching: New Concepts, Innovations and Applications)
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