Sang Kyu Park & Dongsun Shin

In anatomy education, understanding the intricate structure of the bronchial tree is crucial but often hampered by the high cost of traditional anatomical models. This study introduces an innovative, cost-effective alternative using grapevine branches to replicate the bronchial structures. The natural branching patterns of grapevines closely resemble human bronchi, making them an ideal material for creating detailed anatomical models. The methodology involved selecting, preparing, and shaping grapevine branches to accurately represent the main and lobar bronchi of the lungs. The resulting model not only offers a hands-on learning experience but also enhances visual and tactile understanding of bronchial anatomy. Preliminary evaluations suggest that this model could significantly reduce educational costs while maintaining or even improving the quality of anatomy education. Further research is needed to assess its educational effectiveness across different learner groups and its applicability to other anatomical structures. This approach holds promise for increasing the accessibility of high-quality anatomy education in resource-limited settings.

KEY WORDS: Grapevine branches; Bronchial models; Anatomy education; Cost-effective models; Pulmonary anatomy; Educational tools; Anatomical structures.

PARK, S. K. & SHIN, D. Cost-effective anatomical models: utilizing grapevine branches to replicate bronchial structures for enhanced anatomy education. Int. J. Morphol., 43(3):796-799, 2025.