Faculty Sponsor(s)
Daniel Zajic and Yanna Weisberg
Subject Area
Health, Human Performance and Athletics
Description
Anatomical knowledge is crucial for personal and public health decisions, yet prior research shows that U.S. adults demonstrate low accuracy in identifying anatomical structures. Even among healthcare professionals, knowledge varies widely. This study examined how factors such as academic major, athletic participation, and state of residence influence anatomical knowledge in college students, and how anatomical knowledge varies across anatomical systems. Undergraduate students at Linfield University were surveyed to assess anatomical knowledge, demographics, political engagement, and primary news sources. Results indicated that students demonstrated greater knowledge of musculoskeletal structures than organ locations overall. Female students generally showed higher accuracy in identifying organ locations, while male students demonstrated higher knowledge of musculoskeletal structures. Students involved in athletics exhibited higher musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge compared to non-athletes. This work has established a foundation for continued research, with next steps focused on further analysis to identify additional predictors of anatomical knowledge and continued sampling at Linfield alongside expansion to other colleges.
Recommended Citation
Hertlein, Zoe and Wheat, Cadogan, "Hearts, Livers, and a Whole Lot of Guessing: How Anatomical Knowledge Varies Among College Students and Why It Matters" (2026). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 20.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2026/all/20
Hearts, Livers, and a Whole Lot of Guessing: How Anatomical Knowledge Varies Among College Students and Why It Matters
Anatomical knowledge is crucial for personal and public health decisions, yet prior research shows that U.S. adults demonstrate low accuracy in identifying anatomical structures. Even among healthcare professionals, knowledge varies widely. This study examined how factors such as academic major, athletic participation, and state of residence influence anatomical knowledge in college students, and how anatomical knowledge varies across anatomical systems. Undergraduate students at Linfield University were surveyed to assess anatomical knowledge, demographics, political engagement, and primary news sources. Results indicated that students demonstrated greater knowledge of musculoskeletal structures than organ locations overall. Female students generally showed higher accuracy in identifying organ locations, while male students demonstrated higher knowledge of musculoskeletal structures. Students involved in athletics exhibited higher musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge compared to non-athletes. This work has established a foundation for continued research, with next steps focused on further analysis to identify additional predictors of anatomical knowledge and continued sampling at Linfield alongside expansion to other colleges.