Profile

Contact Details

Phone: +64 3 479 7406
Email: natasha.flack@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position

Lecturer

Department

Department of Anatomy

Qualifications

BSc(Hons) PhD

Research summary

Clinical anatomy and anatomical sciences education

Teaching

ANAT101: Anatomy for Sport and Exercise
ANAT331: Functional Anatomy
PHTY250: Anatomy for BPhty
ANAT451: Functional Human Anatomy
ANAT458: Current Topics in Anatomical Science

Memberships

2011-present: Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA), Member, Council Member, Treasurer.

Research

In her clinical anatomy research, Natasha's primary interest is in the musculoskeletal anatomy of the lower limb, and the ultimate aim of her research is to provide scientific, anatomical evidence for improving clinical treatments, procedures and outcomes. She incorporates a range of techniques such as imaging (MRI, ultrasound etc), dissection and histology into her research approaches. Recent projects have investigated the anatomy of the iliocapsularis muscle, the pubic symphysis, and the gluteal muscles, and their particular roles in different pathological conditions. Natasha has also recently been working with Podiatrists at the CDHB to develop a system for the accurate mapping and recording of diabetic foot ulcers.

In her anatomical sciences education research Natasha is focused on student’s perceptions of learning anatomy and in particular the role that using cadaveric tissue plays in the success of learning anatomy. Natasha is currently involved in studies that look at Science students' perceptions of using cadaveric tissue, and what support systems are in place, and/or are needed to ensure the success of their learning. Along with other members of the ASERT Natasha is interested in the link between motivation, attendance and learning, and identifying particular threshold concepts that may be associated with learning advanced anatomical knowledge.

Publications

Topp, P., Flack, N., Woodley, S., & Blyth, P. (2025). Clinical anatomy of the fibularis longus and brevis muscles. Anatomical Sciences Education, 18(2), (pp. 214-215). doi: 10.1002/ase.2554 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Willoughby, B. R., Flack, N. A. M. S., Bird, R. J., & Woodley, S. J. (2024). Motivation to learn in university science students studying anatomy: A mixed-methods analysis of what drives learning. Anatomical Sciences Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/ase.2416 Journal - Research Article

Willoughby, B., Whitburn, L. Y., Webb, A. L., Flack, N. A. M. S., & Woodley, S. J. (2024). The development of a core neuroanatomy syllabus for undergraduate physiotherapy student education. Anatomical Sciences Education, 17, (pp. 1143-1144). doi: 10.1002/ase.2476 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Aravazhi, S., Timmermans, J., Smith-Han, K., Nicholson, H., & Flack, N. (2023, July). Dancing my PhD through the liminal space. Verbal presentation at the Threshold Concepts Conference, Port Macquarie, Australia. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Papp, M., Zhang, M., & Flack, N. (2023). The tectorial ligament and its relationship with the posterior longitudinal ligament: A systematic review. Proceedings of the 10th Asia Pacific International Congress of Anatomists (APICA) and the 20th Australian & New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference: Reconnect, Ka Mua, Ka Muri. Retrieved from https://apica2023.com Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2025

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Topp, P., Flack, N., Woodley, S., & Blyth, P. (2025). Clinical anatomy of the fibularis longus and brevis muscles. Anatomical Sciences Education, 18(2), (pp. 214-215). doi: 10.1002/ase.2554

2024

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Aravazhi, S., Flack, N., Nicholson, H., Smith-Han, K., & Timmermans, J. (2023). Emotions: A curse or boon to learning? Exploring student experiences of learning head and neck anatomy through dissections. Proceedings of the 10th Asia Pacific International Congress of Anatomists (APICA) and the 20th Australian & New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference: Reconnect, Ka Mua, Ka Muri. Retrieved from https://apica2023.com

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2022

Journal - Research Article

Flack, N. A. M. S., Frost, K., Aravazhi, S., Macmillan, A., Blyth, P., Woodley, S. J., Nicholson, H. D., Hurren, B. J., & Bird, R. J. (2022). "Thank you for your sacrifice, I will try to make sure your donation wasn't in vain": Undergraduate science students' perceptions on the use of cadaveric material in learning anatomy. Education Sciences, 12, 451. doi: 10.3390/educsci12070451

Perraton, Z., Lawrenson, P., Mosler, A. B., Elliott, J. M., Weber, II, K. A., Flack, N. A. M. S., Cornwall, J., … Semciw, A. I. (2022). Towards defining muscular regions of interest from axial magnetic resonance imaging with anatomical cross-reference: A scoping review of lateral hip musculature. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1), 533. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05439-x

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Wilson, J. G. R., & Flack, N. A. M. S. (2022). The use of microbes for digitizing soft tissue structures: A scoping review. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference: Learning from Each Other. (pp. 93-94). Retrieved from https://anzaca.org

Willoughby, B., Flack, N. A. M. S., Bird, R., & Woodley, S. J. (2022). Motivation to learn in university students studying anatomy: A mixed methods analysis of what drives learning. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference: Learning from Each Other. (pp. 92-93). Retrieved from https://anzaca.org

Dolodolotawake, M., Bird, R., & Flack, N. A. M. S. (2022). Me tu dei: An investigation into deep posterior leg muscle size in pacifica. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference: Learning from Each Other. (pp. 46). Retrieved from https://anzaca.org

Aravazhi, S., Smith-Han, K., Nicholson, H., & Flack, N. (2022). Threshold concepts in anatomy education with a special focus on cadaveric dissection. In M. Anakin, R. Bird, N. Flack, Q. Liu, J. McCallum-Loudeac & T. McLennan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Sciences Education and Health Professions Education Symposium. (pp. 24-25). Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. [Abstract]

Dolodolotawake, M., Flack, N., & Bird, R. (2022). Pacifica views on providing a safe environment for clinical anatomy research. In M. Anakin, R. Bird, N. Flack, Q. Liu, J. McCallum-Loudeac & T. McLennan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Sciences Education and Health Professions Education Symposium. (pp. 23). Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. [Abstract]

2021

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Flack, N. A. M. S., Hurren, B. J., Sutherland, E., Neuman, F., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2021). "More experience gained in a comfortable environment": Preparedness for handling prosecutions and dissecting animal tissues in undergraduate science students. Clinical Anatomy, 34(8), (pp. E21). doi: 10.1002/ca.23544

Williams, A., Flack, N. A. M. S., & Woodley, S. J. (2021). An anatomical study of the iliocapsularis muscle. Clinical Anatomy, 34(8), (pp. E19). doi: 10.1002/ca.23544

Ballance, K., Flack, N., Heenan, H., Lunt, H., & Williams, A. (2021). Location, location, location: Anatomical 3D mapping of diabetic foot ulcers. Proceedings of the 44th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/NZSSD2021

2020

Journal - Research Article

Pather, N., Blyth, P., Chapman, J. A., Dayal, M. R., Flack, N. A. M. S., Fogg, Q. A., … Woodley, S. J., & Lazarus, M. D. (2020). Forced disruption of anatomy education in Australia and New Zealand: An acute response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Anatomical Sciences Education, 13, 284-297. doi: 10.1002/ase.1968

Flack, N. A. M. S., Depledge, J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Stringer, M. D., Gray, A. R., & Woodley, S. J. (2020). A self-report questionnaire for pregnancy-related symphyseal pain. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 48, 102151. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102151

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., Chapple, C., Muirhead, J., & Woodley, S. J. (2020). Hip abductor muscle volume in people with hip osteoarthritis following a targeted prehabilitation programme. Clinical Anatomy, 33(2), (pp. E25-E26). doi: 10.1002/ca.23370

Flack, N., & Fogg, Q. (2020). The evidence-base for the segmental arrangement of muscles. Journal of Anatomy, 236(Suppl. 1), S187. doi: 10.1111/joa.13163

Aldabe, D., Flack, N. A. M. S., Hammer, N., & Woodley, S. J. (2020). Anatomical, biomechanical, and functional review of the sacrotuberous ligament. Clinical Anatomy, 33(2), (pp. E56). doi: 10.1002/ca.23426

Macmillan, A., Nicholson, H., & Flack, N. (2020). "This is the good stuff": Discovering what science students think about using cadaveric material to learn anatomy. Clinical Anatomy, 33(2), (pp. E51-E52). doi: 10.1002/ca.23426

Dalton, T. R., Woodley, S. J., & Flack, N. A. M. S. (2020). Hip abductor muscle volume and fatty infiltration in greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). Clinical Anatomy, 33(2), (pp. E48-E49). doi: 10.1002/ca.23426

2019

Journal - Research Other

Aldabe, D., Hammer, N., Flack, N. A. M. S., & Woodley, S. (2019). A systematic review of the morphology and function of the sacrotuberous ligament. Clinical Anatomy, 32(3), 396-407. doi: 10.1002/ca.23328

2018

Journal - Research Article

Flack, N. A. M. S., & Nicholson, H. D. (2018). What do medical students learn from dissection? Anatomical Sciences Education, 11(4), 325-335. doi: 10.1002/ase.1758

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Flack, N. A. M. S., & Nicholson, H. D. (2018). Learning from dissection: The perceptions of medical students. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Conference. Renmark, Australia: ANZAHPE. [Abstract]

2017

Chapter in Book - Research

Flack, N. A. M. S., McClea, K., & Nicholson, H. D. (2017). Commemoration practices at Otago: Experiences from a bicultural society. In G. Štrkalj & N. Pather (Eds.), Commemorations and memorials: Exploring the human face of anatomy. (pp. 119-132). Singapore: World Scientific.

Journal - Research Article

Lube, J., Flack, N. A. M. S., Cotofana, S., Özkurtul, O., Woodley, S. J., Zachow, S., & Hammer, N. (2017). Pelvic and lower extremity physiological cross-sectional areas: An MRI study of the living young and comparison to published research literature. Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy, 39(8), 849-857. doi: 10.1007/s00276-016-1807-6

2016

Chapter in Book - Research

Nicholson, H., Woodley, S., & Flack, N. (2016). Gluteal muscles and lateral rotators of the hip. In R. S. Tubbs, M. M. Shoja & M. Loukas (Eds.), Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. (pp. 386-409). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Journal - Research Article

Hurren, B. J., & Flack, N. A. M. S. (2016). Prader-Willi syndrome: A spectrum of anatomical and clinical features. Clinical Anatomy, 29(5), 590-605. doi: 10.1002/ca.22686

Flack, N. A. M. S., & Nicholson, H. D. (2016). Historical perspective: Anatomy down the ages in Australasia; lessons for the future. Clinical Anatomy, 29(1), 4-10. doi: 10.1002/ca.22640

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Flack, N., Nicholson, H., Muirhead, J., Chapple, C., & Woodley, S. (2016). The utility of ultrasound to estimate hip abductor muscle volume in individuals with advanced hip osteoarthritis. Clinical Anatomy, 29(2), (pp. 223). doi: 10.1002/ca.22682

Woodley, S. J., Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., Hargest, C., & Chapple, C. (2016). A feasibility study of a prehabilitation programme for patients awaiting total hip joint arthroplasty. Proceedings of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Conference. (pp. 113). Retrieved from https://pnz.org.nz/conference

Woodley, S. J., Flack, N. A. M. S., Muirhead, J., & Haysom, S. S. (2016). Is ultrasound a valid and reliable method of measuring hip abductor volume in cadavers? Clinical Anatomy, 29(1), (pp. 103). doi: 10.1002/ca.22658

Flack, N. A. M. S., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2016). Immunohistochemical fiber typing of the hip abductor muscles. Clinical Anatomy, 29(1), (pp. 84-85). doi: 10.1002/ca.22658

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Flack, N. A. M. S., Martyn, H., & Nicholson, H. D. (2016, March). Learning from dissection: The medical students perception. Verbal presentation at the 7th Asia Pacific International Congress of Anatomists (APICA), Singapore.

Flack, N. A. M. S., & Nicholson, H. D. (2016, March). The changing face of anatomy. Plenary presentation at the 7th Asia Pacific International Congress of Anatomists (APICA), Singapore.

2015

Journal - Research Article

Flack, N. A. M. S., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Stringer, M. D., Gray, A. R., & Woodley, S. J. (2015). Adherence, tolerance and effectiveness of two different pelvic support belts as a treatment for pregnancy-related symphyseal pain: A pilot randomized trial. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 15, 36. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0468-5

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Haysom, S., Flack, N. A. M. S., & Woodley, S. J. (2015). Validity of ultrasound for measuring hip abductor muscle volumes. Clinical Anatomy, 28(7), (pp. 945). doi: 10.1002/ca.22520

2014

Journal - Research Article

Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2014). The anatomy of the hip abductor muscles. Clinical Anatomy, 27(2), 241-253. doi: 10.1002/ca.22248

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Woodley, S. J., Flack, N. A. M. S., & Nicholson, H. D. (2014). Anatomical variations of the piriformis muscle: A systematic review. Clinical Anatomy, 27(8), (pp. 1364). doi: 10.1002/ca.22459

Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2014). Lost in history: Anatomical variations of the gluteal muscles. Clinical Anatomy, 27(8), (pp. 1361-1362). doi: 10.1002/ca.22459

Nicholson, H. D., Woodley, S. J., & Flack, N. A. M. S. (2014). Variations in the short external rotator muscles of the hip. Clinical Anatomy, 27(8), (pp. 1351). doi: 10.1002/ca.22459

Nicholson, H. D., & Flack, N. A. M. S. (2014). Anatomy down the ages: Lessons for the future. Annals of Anatomy, 196(Suppl.), (pp. 20-21). doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2014.05.035

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Flack, N. (2014, July). Groin & foot [Workshop]. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) New Zealand Branch Annual Scientific Meeting, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2013

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2013, November). Lost in history: Anatomical variations of the gluteal muscles. Poster session presented at the 10th Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference, Brisbane, Australia.

2012

Journal - Research Article

Flack, N. A. M. S., Meikle, G. R., Reddy, M., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2012). Hip abductor muscle volume in women with lateral hip pain: A case-controlled study. Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy, 34(9), 847-855. doi: 10.1007/s00276-012-0970-7

Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2012). A review of the anatomy of the hip abductor muscles, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fascia lata. Clinical Anatomy, 25(6), 697-708. doi: 10.1002/ca.22004

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Flack, N. A. M. S., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2012). Using anatomy to determine function: A detailed investigation of the morphology of tensor fascia lata. Clinical Anatomy, 25(4), (pp. 535). doi: 10.1002/ca.22049

Woodley, S. J., Flack, N. A. M. S., Hay-Smith, J., & Stringer, M. D. (2012). Compliance and efficacy of two different pelvic supports belts as a treatment for pregnancy-related symphyseal pain. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 40(2), (pp. 95). [Abstract]

2010

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Sparks, N. A. M., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2010). Hip abductor muscle volume in patients with lateral hip pain: A case-controlled study. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy. 38(2), (pp. 75). [Abstract]

Sparks, N. A. M., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2010). Changes in the volume of the hip abductor muscles in patients with lateral hip pain. Clinical Anatomy. 23, (pp. 351). doi: 10.1002/ca.20954

2009

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Sparks, N. A. M., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2009). The detailed anatomy of the gluteus medius muscle. Clinical Anatomy. 22, (pp. 407-408). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Sparks, N., Nicholson, H., & Woodley, S. (2009, August). Understanding lateral hip pain: An investigation into the detailed anatomy of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles. Verbal presentation at the 17th Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists, Cape Town, South Africa.