Background: The cornerstone of medical education in training qualified physicians lies in foundational scientific knowledge, which forms the basis for clinical reasoning and diagnostic-therapeutic decision-making. Anatomy constitutes one of the core foundational subjects within the medical doctor training curriculum and exerts a direct influence on the development of students’ baseline knowledge and the formation of their clinical thinking. This study was conducted to evaluate the anatomy curriculum through assessments by first-year students enrolled in the basic medical education program, with the aim of enhancing instructional quality and improving the structure and organization of the course. Aim: To investigate the satisfaction ratings of first-year students in the basic medical education program regarding the Anatomy-1 course. Material and Methods: The study was carried out using an analytical cross-sectional design during the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year. Data were collected from a total of 289 first-year students of the basic medical education program at the School of Bio-Medicine of MNUMS (Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences) using a questionnaire comprising 24 items in total—3 demographic questions, 20 general satisfaction questions, and 1 open-ended question—with each item rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were processed using SPSS 23.0 software, employing descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and factor analysis. Results: Of the study participants, 14.2% were male and 85.8% were female, with the cohort distributed across programs as follows: TAM 10.38%, TMS 17.30%, MDS 44.29%, PDS 13.15%, and DSS 14.88%. The overall satisfaction level was 4.59±0.66, falling within the “good” range. The highest rating was attributed to “Faculty members possess strong professional knowledge and skills” (DSS, 4.91±0.37), whereas the lowest rating was assigned to “Students’ knowledge and skills are evaluated objectively and fairly” (PDS, 4.16±0.75). The internal consistency coefficient of the questionnaire yielded α=0.909, indicating excellent reliability. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among instructors’ respect for students’ viewpoints (Q4), instructors’ communication and demeanor (Q5), and professional ethics (Q6) (r=0.787; r=0.755; p<0.01). Factor analysis produced a KMO value of 0.865 and a Bartlett’s test result of p=0.000; accordingly, all 20 items were grouped into two factors—”Faculty Professional Competence” and “Learning Environment and Organization”—which collectively accounted for 58.74% of the total variance. Conclusions 1. The findings indicate that the overall satisfaction of first-year basic medical education students who participated in the study was at a favorable level. 2. Faculty professional competence and the learning environment and organization were identified as factors influencing student satisfaction, explaining 58.74% of the total variance in the results. It was further established that adherence to professional ethics, respect for students’ perspectives, and equitable treatment are contingent upon the instructor’s knowledge and professional expertise.

Background: The Anatomy course, which provides general foundational knowledge on the structure of all organ systems of the human body, is a core professional course in the bachelor’s curricula of Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, Hygiene and Epidemiology, Public Health, Occupational Safety and Health, and Nutrition and Dietetics. Student satisfaction is not only an important indicator of the quality of medical education, but also influences graduates’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes; therefore, continuous research in this area is necessary. Aim: To determine the level of satisfaction with the Anatomy curriculum among first-year students in basic health science programs and to identify factors influencing their satisfaction, with the aim of improving the quality of teaching. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2025 to February 2026 among 182 first-year students enrolled in the following programs at Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS): Biomedical Research, Pharmacy, Health Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Informatics, and Traditional Medicine Therapy. Student satisfaction with the quality of the Anatomy course was assessed using a 24-item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, applying descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The internal consistency of the satisfaction scale was very high (Cronbach’s α=0.928). The mean overall satisfaction score of the participants was 4.61±0.67. There was no significant difference in overall satisfaction by gender (p > 0.05). Factor analysis identified two main factors influencing the evaluation of teaching quality (KMO=0.894; Bartlett’s test p<0.001), which together explained 52.73% of the total variance. The first factor was “Teachers’ professional competence, communication, attitude, and assessment,” and the second factor was “Course organization, learning environment, and instructional materials.” Correlation analysis showed that better course organization and higher teacher engagement were positively associated with students’ satisfaction (p<0.01). Conclusions 1. Among first-year basic health science students, satisfaction with the Anatomy course was influenced by teachers’ professional competence, ethics, interpersonal communication, and fair, objective assessment. 2. Adherence to professional ethics and maintaining respectful communication with students were found to be closely related to teachers’ knowledge and professional skills.

Background: The study of the anatomical structure of the ankle joint ligaments is essential for understanding the stability, axis, and movement of the joint, as well as their interrelationship with the function. It also provides fundamental quantitative data for the training and research of physiotherapists, as well as the practice of injury and trauma medicine. Proper diagnosis and treatment of ankle joint injuries, as well as understanding the mechanism of injury, are based on this knowledge. Ankle joint injuries are common, with ligament and tendon injuries accounting for 85% of ankle injuries. In Mongolia, 81.1% of ankle injuries are new, 9.4% are similar to the initial injury, 8.1% are recurrent injuries, and 0.7% have unknown causes. Depending on the mechanism of injury, certain ligaments and connective tissues can be damaged. Ankle ligament injuries are the most common cause of acute ankle pain, and chronic ankle pain is often due to structural changes in the ankle ligaments. Aim: To summarize the research on the normal anatomy of the ankle and subtalar joint, as well as the studies on joint injuries, using the dissection method. Materials and Methods: Literature search was conducted in Thomson Reuters, Pubmed central database, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, as well as the statistical data from the Health Development Center and the National Center for Trauma and Orthopedics. Keywords used include: ankle joint, subtalar joint, ankle joint and subtalar joint injuries. A total of 330 publications were identified, and 34 key articles on the normal anatomy of the ankle and subtalar joint, as well as joint injuries, were included in the review. Results: The ankle joint is formed between the distal end of the tibia and the superior articular surface of the talus. It allows plantar flexion and dorsiflexion movements, with a normal range of 30 degrees for plantar flexion and 50 degrees for dorsiflexion. The subtalar joint is formed between the posterior articular surfaces of the talus and calcaneus. It allows inversion and eversion movements, with a normal range of 35 degrees for inversion and 20 degrees for eversion. The ankle ligaments are divided into three groups: lateral, medial, and inferior tibiofibular (syndesmotic) ligaments. The most common cause of ankle joint injuries is excessive inversion of the subtalar joint, leading to injuries to the joint capsule, lateral and medial collateral ligaments, and the syndesmotic ligaments. Excessive plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint can also cause injuries to the posterior talofibular ligament, the osteochondral region of the talar neck, and the anterior-inferior margin of the tibia. Conclusion Comprehensive study of the ankle joint structure provides the basis for explaining the mechanism of injury. Further research in Mongolia is needed, combining dissection and imaging techniques, to develop standardized evaluation protocols that correlate with clinical outcomes.

Background: The human head is an integrated biological structure composed of the brain, cranial bones, facial structures, neuromuscular systems, and sensory organs, all interconnected through coordinated signaling. The relationship between brain development, function, and craniofacial growth is most evident after birth, during which the head increases approximately fourfold in size before adulthood. Brain morphology and volume are associated not only with neurological disorders but also with cognitive and behavioral characteristics. For example, children with holoprosencephaly often present with varying degrees of facial anomalies, while studies have shown that adolescents with malocclusion exhibit higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological stress. With the increasing availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it has become an essential diagnostic tool in clinical practice. MRI is particularly advantageous in pediatric populations due to the absence of ionizing radiation and its superior soft tissue contrast. Recent advances in image processing techniques have enabled comprehensive analysis of both brain structures and craniofacial morphology from a single MRI dataset, forming the basis of this study. Aim: To investigate the relationship between brain tissue volumes and maxillary hypoplasia using MRI-based voxelbased morphometry in children with neurological conditions. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the School of Biomedicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, in collaboration with Chifeng University, as part of the project titled “Investigation of the relationship between craniofacial anomalies and brain disorders using MRI”, funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis was performed on brain MRI scans of children aged 9–11 years. Results: Among the 25 children included in the study, 17 (68%) were male. The youngest average age was observed in the maxillary hypoplasia group (8.4±0.95 years). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of MRI was lowest in the non-temporal epilepsy group (41.1±1.35) and higher in the maxillary hypoplasia group (49.6±8.22). Both epilepsy and maxillary hypoplasia groups demonstrated physiological asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres, with left parietal lobe dominance (−0.1% and −0.3 cm, respectively). Right frontal lobe dominance (+1.1%) was observed only in the epilepsy group. Conclusion Children aged 9–11 years with maxillary hypoplasia showed a reduction in both gray and white matter volumes of the brain. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders affecting odontogenesis and emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary team-based management approach.

Background: The continuous annual increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) poses significant challenges not only within our nation but also globally in the control and management of tuberculosis. Aim: This study aimed to determine the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) residing in six central districts of Ulaanbaatar and to investigate associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Participants aged 18 years and older diagnosed with T2DM and receiving care at endocrinology clinics in six central districts of Ulaanbaatar were selected using systematic random sampling. Presumptive TB cases were identified through a structured questionnaire and chest X-ray. Sputum specimens were collected and subjected to smear microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for tuberculosis detection. Cases confirmed by laboratory diagnosis, currently undergoing tuberculosis treatment and previously treated cases as per questionnaire data were classified as tuberculosis cases, and prevalence was calculated. Results: A total of 1,644 individuals with T2DM were enrolled in the study, of whom 836 (50.9%) were female, with a mean age of 58 years (range 19–89). The overall prevalence of presumptive TB cases was 10.5% (n=172; 95% CI, 9.0–12.0). Among 112 suspected cases from whom sputum samples were obtained, 10 (8.9%; 95% CI, 4.9–15.7) were laboratory-confirmed for M.tuberculosis. Notably, 7.2% (6 cases; 95% CI, 3.4–14.9) of asymptomatic individuals with abnormal X-ray findings were diagnosed with tuberculosis. According to questionnaire responses, 9 participants (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.3–1.0) were undergoing tuberculosis treatment, and 53 (3.2%; 95% CI, 2.5–4.2) reported a previously treated TB cases. The overall prevalence of tuberculosis among individuals with diabetes was 4.4% (n=72; 95% CI, 3.5–5.5). Stratification by age and sex revealed a significantly higher prevalence among males (5.9%; n=48; 95% CI, 4.5–7.8) compared to females (2.9%; 95% CI, 1.2–4.2) (p=0.002), indicating a twofold increased risk of tuberculosis in males. Although no statistically significant differences in tuberculosis prevalence were observed across age groups (p>0.05), a declining trend in prevalence with older age was noted. Conclusion The prevalence of tuberculosis among individuals with type 2 diabetes was 4.4% (n=72; 95% CI, 3.5–5.5), with a significantly higher rate in males (p=0.002) and a decreasing trend with increasing age. Among asymptomatic individuals exhibiting radiographic abnormalities, 7.2% were confirmed to have tuberculosis via laboratory testing

Background: Studying the human embryonic and fetal organ systems development patterns and determining their quantitative indicators is of scientific and practical importance in medicine and health in every nation.
Distortions and pathologies during the development of the embryo are the causes of congenital disabilities. Among the congenital malformations, facial malformations are the 3rd place, including cleft lip and palate in 70% and Srouzon's syndrome in 30%. In addition, abnormalities due to changes in the size, shape, and position of the jaw are also mentioned in the 2021.04.21 issue of Morphology magazine in the study "Morphometric parameters of the bones of the skull and face during the development of newborns and fetuses". In our country, Ariuntuul G (2005) determined that cleft lip and cleft palate occur at 0.76/1000 or 1 in 1314 live births, while Ayanga G (2012) found that it occurs at 1 in 1072 live births or 0.93/1000. Moreover, the eye cup dimensions of Mongolian fetuses aged 16 36 weeks have a positive linear relationship with the gestational age determined using ultrasound by Nandintsetseg B (2015) et al. Compared with the other countries, the eyecup is slightly wider, and the outer edge distance is similar, whereas the inner edge distance is shorter. Purpose: To summarize research work and determine the embryonic development of bones involved in the formation of the face and facial parts, the period of bone formation, the point of ossification, and the period of formation. Methods: During fetal development, human organ systems grow and develop at different rates but in a particular relationship. This feature of growth and development is also clearly observed in the structure of the head and facial bones, and the results of researchers who have studied this aspect are selected in the articles. Results: Embryonic and fetal development of bone are clinically significant not only from the point of view of its morphogenesis but also from the point of view of congenital disabilities. Conclusion In the analysis of the sources, most of the works on the prenatal period of the development of the same body have studied the development of specific structures of the face and facial area, such as the palatine bones and nasal bones, or have generally covered the development of particular systems in the embryo and fetus, and face, there are relatively few works that show the entire dynamics of growth and development of facial bones.

Introduction: The department of Maxillofacial surgery of the National Center for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH) has a nationwide tertiary medical service for the children who is with congenital orofacial anomalies, facial injury, nonmalignant tumors of this area, and inflammations of maxillofacial area following odontogenic infection and other reasons as well. For the last years the number of the patients who are with odontogenic inflammation on the department has been growing constantly meaning that the necessity of medical care for our countries for children is also growing. Therefore by studying and analyzing the structure of the odontogenic inflammation and to determine the most frequent odontogenic inflammation among children in our country, to prevent them, define the treatment plan. Aim: To clarify what kind of odontogenic maxillofacial inflammatory diseases mainly occurs among Mongolian children. Materials and Method: We included all patients who are with odontogenic inflammation and underwent emergency and planned surgery in the department of Maxillofacial surgery, NCMCH between 2014-2018.
We used descriptive method based on the information of inpatients history record between 2014.01.01- 2018.12.31 at the department of Maxillofacial surgery, NCMCH and using our own –designed, prescreened survey card.
Statistical data processing is done using Microsoft Office-2019, SPSS for windows and STATA programs, and the results are shown illustrated method. The survey identified the incidence and frequency of each disease classification, and analyzed the characteristics of the child’s age, sex, and residency. Result : In total 3533 children with odontogenic inflammation, whom age range is 0-18 years old, admitted at the department of Maxillofacial surgery for the surgical treatment were involved in this study.
Among which 1452(41.1%) male, 2081(58.9%) female. Considering the residency 2918(82.5%) children from Ulan-Bator and 615 (17.5%) children from countryside. The most of patients, who involved in this study were with odontogenic periostitis of maxillofacial area (67.5%), most were girls and preschool age (3-5 ages). Conclusion Based on the result of our study the most frequent inflammation was odontogenic periostitis of maxilla and mandible bone with 67.5%. The odontogenic phlegmon of orofacial area was the 2nd most frequent with 25.1%.
Inflammation of maxillofacial area was most frequent in 3-5 age group (preschool age) with 41.4%, and mostly in male. Considering the residency with 82.5% highest in Ulanbator.

Introduction: The department of Maxillofacial surgery of the National Center for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH) has a nationwide tertiary medical service on the patients who is with congenital orofacial anomalies, facial injury, nonmalignant tumors of this area, and inflammations of maxillofacial area following dental caries and other reasons as well. For the last years nationwide the number of inpatient of the department has been growing constantly meaning that the necessity of medical care for our countries for children is also growing. Therefore by studying and analyzing the structure of the illness of the department will be able to determine the most frequent orofacial illness among children in our country, to prevent them, define the treatment plan. Aim: To clarify what disease in the Maxillofacial area mainly occurs among Mongolian children. Materials and Method: We included all patients who underwent emergency and planned surgery in the department of Max-illofacial surgery, NCMCH between 2014-2015.
We used descriptive and case-control method based on the information of inpatients history record between 2014.01.01-2015.01.01 at the department of Maxillofacial surgery, NCMCH and using our own –designed, pre-screened survey card.
Statistical data processing is done using Microsoft Office-2017 and SPSS for windows programs, and the results are shown illustrated method. The survey identified the incidence and frequency of each disease classification, and analyzed the characteristics of the child’s age, sex, and residency. Result: The most of patients, who involved in this study were with the inflammation of maxillofacial area (57%), and the congenital orofacial clefts (24.4%).
In total 3300 children from 0-18 years old admitted at the department of Maxillofacial surgery and Infants study for orofacial surgery treatment were involved in this study.
Among which were 1803(54.6%) male, 1497(45.4%) female. Considering the residency, 2525(76.5%) children from Ulaanbaatar and 775 (23.5%) children from countryside. The most of patients, who involved in this study, were with the inflammation of maxillofacial area (57%), and the congenital orofacial clefts (24.4%). Conclusion Based on the result of our study the highest incidence among the participants was inflammation of maxillofacial area with 57% in which odontogenic periostitis was the most frequent with 21.6%. Congenital orofacial clefts and disorders was the 2^nd most frequent with 24.4%. Inflammation of maxillo-facial area was most frequent in 0-2 age group with 33.7%, and mostly in male. Considering there were residency with 83.2% highest in Ulaanbaatar and mostly in Bayanzurkh district with 24.7%.

Background: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is grown rapidly in last years. The application of cardiopulmonary bypass using a heart-lung machine to perform open heart surgery is known to be associated with numerous pathophysiologic changes including injury of cellular components as erythrocyte, platelets, coagulopathy, and fibrinolysis. Objectives: Our study objective is to study on relation of open heart surgery phases and blood coagulation parameters. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 49 patients (28 females and 21 males, aged 18- 63 years) who underwent open heart surgery with cardiopulnonary bypass (CPB) were collected before and at several time points during, after surgery and analyzed for coagulation parameters at Shastin Third Central Hospital. Results: To compare long continued cardiopulmonary bypass (over 1 h) surgery with less 1 h groups there prothrombin time was found 18.8±5.9 sec, international normalized ratio (INR) 2.09±0.9 sec prolonged (p<0.001) in 7 days after surgery. All coagulation parameters were decreased significantly (p<0.001) in during extracorporeal circulation and after 1 h declamping than preoperative level and reached near normal value in 48 h after surgery. Our results have referred to platelet counts reduction to about 53% in during surgery, 46.8% in 48 h after surgery of the preoperative level 237.4±57.1 with final return to normal levels 228.9±78.6 within 7 days. Conclusions
1. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and patient age in relation to open heart surgery type there were significant difference (p <0.01).
2. The coagulation parameters have revealed significant changes (p <0.01) in relation cardiopulmonary bypass time.
3. All coagulation parameters were decreased significantly (p<0.001) in during extracorporeal circulation and after 1 h decamping than preoperative level and reached near normal value in 48 h after surgery.
4. There was direct and less correlation between platelet level and CPB time (r=0.37, p<0.001).

Background: A midwifery services are recognized as one of essential health care and services. The amplification of trained midwives plays very important role to improve the quality of and access to health care services as highlighted in the global Human Development Report [1]. Obstetric care is the integrated specialized interventions aimed to detect, monitor, manage delivery, treat and prevent illnesses of mothers, fetus and newborns in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal periods. Every year, 287,000 women die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and 2.9 million newborns die before they reach the age of four weeks worldwide. The majority of the preventable maternal and newborn deaths occur in low-income countries [3]. Goal: This assessment was aimed to review the current situation and legal framework of midwifery services and comprehensive competencies of midwives, and to provide baseline data for the project as well as evidence based recommendations for further improvement of midwifery services in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: In order to assess the current status of midwifery services and integrated competencies of midwives, a range of quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A cross- sectional study for assessing the quality of obstetric care and practice was conducted by using observation checklists, questionnaires and interview guides. Midwives who are providing obstetric care in Mongolia were involved in the assessment. Results: A total of 321 midwives from NCMCH, and 2 maternity hospitals of Ulaanbaatar and 21 aimags were involved in the assessment. Out of them 97.2% were female and the mean age was 37.2±10.1 [95%CI: 36.03-38.21]. The mean of working years in health sector was 14.54±10.9 years and mean of working years with the current institution was 11.7±10.1 years. Minimum work experience was few months and maximum was 38 years. A majority of the assessed midwives hold some abilities sufficiently such as keeping medical documents during pregnancy [4.23; 95%CI: 4.15-4.32], educating and giving advice to the customers about after and before the pregnancy period [4.01; 95%CI: 3.91-4.11]. A majority of the assessed midwives answered holding some abilities as important, such as basic knowledge of mother and child public health care in the fertility system [4.11; 95%CI:4.00-4.21], implementing experiences [4.07; 95%CI:3.97-4.19], and very important documents for the Obstetricians Association to know about midwives’ practical and professional activity [4.05; 95%CI:3.92-4.17]. None of the midwives took “A” or point indicates highest level. 40.5 percent of assessed midwives took “D” or “Able to make a relatively easy content; Lack of general knowledge, skills and practices”. One third of participated midwives took “F” indicating lack of knowledge, skill and practice. Moreover, one fifth of the midwives took “C” indicating average level, understood most of the content, skilled moderately, and prepared enough to practice more in this field. Even though rural midwives got average level (22.0%) score 4.1 functions more than city midwives, it didn’t have any difference in the statistic correlation. 3.3 percent of all participant 7 midwives took “B” indicating above the average level in the knowledge test. The midwives have told training for them hadn’t organized frequently which is shown in the quality assessment. Conclusions Furthermore, it is necessary to increase the skill of midwives who would perform complex care based on clinical evidence to reveal the risks faced to maternal and infant health, prevent from degradation and manage safe birth.