Abstract
Educators must select the best tools to teach anatomy to future physicians and traditionally, cadavers have always been considered the “gold standard” simulator for living anatomy. However, new advances in technology and radiology have created new teaching tools, such as virtual dissection, which provide students with new learning opportunities. Virtual dissection is a novel way of studying human anatomy through patient computed tomography (CT) scans. Through touchscreen technology, students can work together in groups to “virtually dissect” the CT scans to better understand complex anatomic relationships. This article presents the anatomic and pedagogic limitations of cadaveric dissection and explains what virtual dissection is and how this new technology may be used to overcome these limitations.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research & Education Foundation for a 2017-2019 RSNA Education Scholar Grant which has strengthened our international collaboration as educators and researchers.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Kathryn E. Darras
Kathryn E. Darras, MD, is a Radiologist at the University of British Columbia and a PhD candidate with the School of Health Professions Education at Maastricht University.
Anique B. H. de Bruin
Anique B. H. de Bruin, PhD, is an Educational Psychologist and is as an Associate Professor with the Department of Educational Development and Research and School of Health Professions Education at Maastricht University.
Savvas Nicolaou
Savvas Nicolaou, MD, is a Radiologist, a Professor, and the Vice-Chair of Undergraduate Radiology Education at the University of British Columbia.
Nils Dahlström
Nils Dahlström, MD, PhD, is a Radiologist and a Senior Instructor at Linkoping University.
Anders Persson
Anders Persson, MD, PhD, is a Radiologist and a Professor at Linkoping University.
Jeroen van Merriënboer
Jeroen van Merriënboer, PhD, is a Professor for Learning and Instruction at Maastricht University
Bruce B. Forster
Bruce B. Forster, MSc, MD, is a Professor and the Head of the Department of Radiology at the University of British Columbia, and Director of the University of British Columbia’s Office of Academic Innovation.