3D visualization tools have been developed to assist in the anatomical learning of medical students, but the evidence on the effectiveness of these tools is inconsistent. Conventional 3D materials are often displayed on 2D screens, which can limit their educational impact. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the presentation of 3D learning…

The increasing adoption of advanced simulation technologies (virtual reality, augmented reality, sophisticated mannequins) in anatomical science education offers undeniable pedagogical advantages, including safe practice environments and enhanced visualization of complex structures. This article explores the simulation paradox, arguing that the…

A deep understanding of pelvic floor anatomy requires a three-dimensional visualization of the spatial relationships among pelvic neurovasculature, soft tissue structures, and bony landmarks, which are highly complex and difficult to comprehend solely through traditional teaching methods such as didactic lectures and anatomical dissection. This…

Purpose: There is currently little evidence reporting the typical morphology of the palatoglossus (PG) muscle. The primary purpose of this exploratory study is to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods used to quantify the morphology of the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle can be applied to the PG. The secondary purpose is to…

The 3D stereoscopic technique consists in providing the illusional perception of depth of a given object using two different images mimicking how the right and left eyes capture the object. Both images are slightly different and when overlapped gives a three-dimensional (3D) experience. Considering the limitations for establishing surgical…

Learning anatomy holds specific challenges, like the appreciation of three-dimensional relationships between anatomical structures. So far, there is limited knowledge about how students construct their understanding of topographic anatomy. By understanding the processes by which students learn anatomical structures in 3D, educators will be better…

Purpose: The goal of this study is to validate the muscle architecture derived from both ex vivo and in vivo diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) of the human tongue with histology of an ex vivo tongue. Method: dMRI was acquired with a 200-direction high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) diffusion scheme for both a…

Spatial abilities (SAs) are cognitive resources used to mentally manipulate representations of objects to solve problems. Haptic abilities (HAs) represent tactile interactions with real-world objects transforming somatic information into mental representations. Both are proposed to be factors in anatomy education, yet relationships between SAs and…

Background: Realistic visualizations have been associated with benefits in retention performance, but also with disadvantages in transfer tasks. Realistic details are considered to be helpful for the initial learning of content, but not for the generalization to other domains and tasks. Objectives: The contradictory nature of previous evidence…

Radioanatomy, short for radiographic anatomy, is the study of anatomy through medical imaging. Its early-stage introduction into medical curricula has been recommended in the literature. As with many other medical courses, it has seen a shift toward blended learning, including assessment on learning management systems such as Moodle, one advantage…

The use of electronic media in the classroom was prevalent during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic because it afforded the health and safety of students in blended course modalities. This project aimed to quantify the effectiveness of a three-dimensional computer-based human anatomical online platform in a blended synchronous course…

Spatial visualization, the ability to mentally rotate three-dimensional (3D) images, plays a significant role in anatomy education. This study examines the impact of technical drawing exercises on the improvement of spatial visualization and anatomy education in a Neuroscience course. First-year medical students (n = 84) were randomly allocated…

This descriptive report explores the implementation of the use of plastinated specimens in a Doctor of Physical Therapy human anatomy curriculum as an alternative to traditional body donor dissection. Plastination, a preservation technique developed in the 1970s, creates durable and flexible specimens that retain detailed anatomical features. The…

This exploratory study investigates anatomy faculty perceptions on the incorporation of ultrasound (US) in anatomy education, focusing on spatial understanding (SU) and cognitive load (CL) implications. An online survey was administered anonymously to members of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists. The survey gathered…

Trunk anatomy education is critical in the training of the surgeon. Most trunk anatomy education systems use a personal or synthetic anatomical model. It remains difficult to obtain appropriate population anatomy information and create individualized anatomy customization based on a quantity of diverse data. Furthermore, the naked-eye virtual…