Validity of the Rule of Threes and Anatomical Relationships in the Thoracic Spine.

Context: The location of the more superficial thoracic spinous processes is used to help osteopathic physicians locate the deeper and more difficult-to-palpate thoracic transverse processes. In 1979, Mitchell et al proposed the thoracic rule of threes to describe the relationship of the spinous processes to the transverse processes in the thoracic spine. This rule is currently taught at osteopathic medical schools.

Enhancement of anatomical learning and developing clinical competence of first-year medical and allied health profession students.

Hands-on educational experiences can stimulate student interest, increase knowledge retention, and enhance development of clinical skills. The Lachman test, used to assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), is commonly performed by health care professionals and is relatively easy to teach to first-year health profession students. This study integrated teaching the Lachman test into a first-year anatomy laboratory and examined if students receiving the training would be more confident, competent, and if the training would enhance anatomical learning.