Palpatory anatomy is fundamental in osteopathy training programs; it is a core subject of the curriculum of educational institutions and qualify the professionals to diagnosis and adequately apply Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). It is extremely important to demonstrate the reliability of palpatory references. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the correspondence between references described in palpatory anatomy textbooks and articles and anatomic structures. To determine the correspondence, a CT-scan was performed and markers were attached with adhesive tape to the patient’s skin, positioned in the reference points indicated in the surveyed books. Two osteopaths set markers in a 21 year old patient in the points indicated in the books as correspondent to 21 anatomic structures. The CT-scan was performed on a GE HiSpeed scanner at Pedro Ernesto University Hospital - Rio de Janeiro State University – UERJ, for correlation between palpated points and CT-scan images. The data were analyzed by two radiologists. Correspondence between palpatory and radiologic anatomy was up to 81,8% of assessed points. Although this rate of correspondence is high, a revision of palpatory anatomy is still indispensable to increase osteopathic methods effectiveness. This study was presented at the XXXVI Brazilian Congress of Radiology, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. This pilot study was conducted with the cooperation of patients proceeded to CT scanning to demonstrate that the anatomical markers do not increase radiation doses, do not affect the final assessment of the exam and allow the professional to determine the diagnostic accuracy of manual palpation.

Bernardo Tessarollo 1, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira2, Luciana Cid Póvoa3, José Fernando Cardona Zanier1, Luiz Flávio Skinner1 1- Serviço de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto – Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging – Pedro Ernesto University Hospital – Rio de Janeiro State University – UERJ) 2- Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira Osteopath RBrO 007, diploma in Osteopathy in 2002 by IBO – Instituto Brasileiro de Osteopatia W.G. Sutherland RJ Brazil, pos-graduated in Neurophysiology IBMR RJ, work experience in private clinic and as a teacher in osteopathic training at IBO – Instituto Brasileiro dos Osteopatas. 3-Luciana Cid Povoa Osteopath RBrO 023, diploma in Osteopathy in 2008 IBO – Instituto Brasileiro de Osteopatia W.G. Sutherland RJ Brasil, pos-graduated in Gerontology e Geriatrics Interdisciplinar . .Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Brasil work experience in private clinic and as an assistant teacher in osteopathic training at IBO – Instituto Brasileiro de Osteopatia.