Systemic Anatomy Syllabus in China

China follows the Traditional teaching methodology of anatomy as in Russia with minor modifications.
Human Anatomy is divided into Systemic Anatomy to be taught in the 1st academic year however Regional Anatomy is taught in the 2nd or 3rd year with clinico-surgical applications.
This system believes that the basics of Anatomy should be taught as systemic anatomy in the first year then once students are exposed to pathology & clinical subjects in 2nd to 3rd years, regional anatomy with clinico-surgical applications in order to increase the depth of understanding & implications.

Course Description:

Human anatomy is a science dealing with the morphology and structure of the human body. Anatomy is one of the foundational subjects in medicine, and one-third of the medical terms come from anatomy.
Gross Anatomy can further be divided into Systematic Anatomy and Regional Anatomy. Systematic Anatomy is the subject dealing with morphology and the structure of the human body according to systems.
Systematic Anatomy is composed of nine systems: Locomotor system, Alimentary system, Respiratory system, Urinary system, Reproductive system, Endocrine system, vascular system, Sensory organs, Nervous system.
The teaching of Systematic Anatomy is a theoretical lecture with multimedia teaching software, the practices include demonstrations with cadavers, regional body specimens, and teaching models.
The teaching goals are to understand and master the normal shapes and structures of the organs and systems of the human body and to lay the necessary morphological foundation for the following medical basic courses and clinical medical courses.

FAQs about Anatomy in China vs India

What is systemic anatomy? Systemic anatomy focuses on the anatomy of different organ systems from basic supporting structures bones (osteology) to the advanced nervous system.
When do they teach systemic anatomy in China? during the first 2 semesters (some universities teach systemic anatomy for 1 semester)
In which other countries do you find systemic anatomy? Many European countries especially Eastern Europe, Post-soviet countries, South American countries & China.
What is taught under systemic Anatomy in China? Anatomy is taught system by system without relevant Embryology + Ontogenesis + Anthropology & Radioanatomy on contrary to Russia.
Do they teach systemic anatomy in India? No, they teach only regional anatomy.
Is Anatomy taught as a separate subject from Histology & embryology in India? No, Anatomy is taught as a single subject including histology, embryology & genetics during the first professional year in India however systemic anatomy is taught as a separate subject from histology, embryology & genetics.
Does the Chinese curriculum have regional Anatomy? Yes, it’s taught in the 2nd year second semester or 3rd year 1st semester.
How the methodology of teaching in Anatomy differs in China vs India
- India: Follows the most effective & traditional way of teaching Anatomy through live “dissection” however prosected models are available for learning (students should complete full-body dissection by the end of the Anatomy course).
- China: Prosected cadavers are used for initial teaching due to the relative scarcity of the cadavers however partial dissection sessions are conducted intermittently (Some universities do not conduct the dissections though).
What is the most common misconception about Anatomy in China? Many people believe that only systemic anatomy is taught in China & there is no regional anatomy or dissections.
Why do many people have such a misconception?
- Many people even Medicos in India are unaware of the Chinese curricula & syllabi.
- Consultants who recruit students to China misguide people by saying there is no regional anatomy in China.
Is there a drastic difference between the depth of content taught/tested in India & China? Yes, the depth of the contents taught in India is much more than in China, especially for the English medium.

Teaching methods

Complied “3 basic 5 characters” during the teaching course,
1. They are “basic theory, basic knowledge, and basic skills” and “ideal, science, enlighten, advanced and apply”.
2. Train students’ eligibility for an advanced medical specialty person.
Theory:
- The faculty gives lectures on schedule in the classroom using multimedia audio-visual equipment
- Faculties aid students in self-study,
- PBL（Problem based learning) to make students acquire knowledge through independent thought.
- Arrange anatomical experts who present seminars concerning advanced scientific studies.
Practicals:
- Faculties prepare good model specimens and corpse specimens in preparation for class.
- Encourage students to discuss and question in class and maintain a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to learning.
- Faculties teach how to dissect a corpse, foster their learning process, and improve their dissection skills.

Tentative distribution of teaching hours

Contents	Theory	Experiment	Total
1. Locomotor System	22	10	32
2. Splanchnology	16	8	24
3. Angiology	10	6	16
4. Sensory Organs	8	4	12
5. Nervous System	26	12	38
6. Endocrine System	2	2	4
Total	84	42	126

Examination pattern & marks distribution

Theory assessment: makes up 100 marks. It includes quizzes 20%, mid-term examination 30%, and final-term examination 50%.
Experiment assessment: makes up 100 marks. It includes attendance 5%, experimental reports 15%, oral test or identification labeled structures of a corpse and diagram report 30%, final-term paper examination 50%.

Sample Exam Questions

MCQ Simple or case-based Single answer (A-type) or multiple answers (X-type)	A-type MCQ: 70 years old man owing to falling had a fracture of a femur. What is the most frequent place of fracture of this bone at the given age? Superior third Body Neck Inferior third Ans: C X-type MCQ: Which bones form the pterygopalatine fossa? Palatine bone Sphenoid bone Zygomatic bone Maxilla Answers: A,B,D
Definitions	Ciliary ganglion: Modiolus:
Fill in the blanks	Cranial nerves ____________, ______________, and ____________ control movements of the eye ball.
short question	What are the Distinctive features of the cervical vertebra? What are the Features of cervical spinous processes?
Case	Examination of a human corpse showed that the cause of death was inflammation of the meninges & brain due to the spread of purulent process in the cranial cavity through the venous channel of the occipital region. What is this channel mentioned above? Where this channel opens on an outer surface of the channel the occipital bone?
Labeling
Long Essay	Explain fetal circulation in detail?