Using Interactive Drawing Tools to Teach Neuroanatomy and Physiology

Human Neuroanatomy is an upper-level course designed for pre-med, pre-dental, pre-PA students, as well as future researchers. Students meet for two hours per week for a combined lecture–lab format. The course provides an in-depth study of the neuroanatomy of the brain and spinal cord, along with an introduction to neurological symptoms, imaging techniques, and current treatments for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. In the laboratory component, students dissect bovine spinal cord and sheep brain specimens and use the Anatomage Table to strengthen their understanding of neuroanatomical structures further. To better integrate lecture and lab content and support visual learning, the course incorporates pre-lecture assignments from the Draw It to Know It (DITKI) platform, in which students complete guided drawings of key neuroanatomical systems. These active-learning exercises help students recognize and understand the pathologies of the cerebrum, brainstem, and spinal cord. During class sessions, students work through clinical case studies to localize neurological lesions and identify associated sensory and motor deficits in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The use of guided drawings has improved student comprehension, engagement, and exam performance. The DITKI platform is an excellent instructional tool for neuroanatomy at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We also employ advanced DITKI modules in the graduate-level Anatomy and Physiology for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring course within the Surgical Neurophysiology Master’s Program. These resources enhance clinical relevance, promote student participation, and strengthen critical-thinking skills. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.