From AnatomyLab

AnatomyLab is the ideal application for the student of human anatomy, the medical professional, or for that matter, anyone interested in the structure of their body.  While there are many products that allow you to study drawings of the human body, there are very few that allow you to follow the dissection process of an acual human body and explore the amazing structure of the human form with beautiful, clear photographic images.  AnatomyLab allows you to progress through numerous levels of dissection while labeling and studying the different anatomical structures.

Author

University of Utah

Christopher R. Johnson  crj@sci.utah.edu

Tom Fogal  tfogal@sci.utah.edu

Mark Nielsen  marknielsen@bioscience.utah.edu

Lee J. Siegel  leesiegel@ucomm.utah.edu

Features

• Rotate the cadaver and zoom in or out to more clearly see any structure
• Each label is accompanied by text describing its structure and function
• A search engine allows you to easily locate any structure on the cadaver
• A toggle button on the home screen allows you to toggle on or off a “Genital Blur” lest you be tempted to giggle at the genitalia while studying…

Limitations

• Not detailed enough to identify tiny structures, such as nerves and ligaments, which is the type of detail that medical students need to learn (UPDATE: they’re currently working on a version with higher resolution images to fix this problem)
• Needs more in depth muscle action description
• Overall this app needs some content improvement to make it a truly useful tool for medical students

The Bassett Collection contains some of the most meticulously detailed dissections ever done.  Practically every single nerve, vessel, muscle fiber, and tendon has been exposed to create the clearest images of each body system.

The collection is the product of a 17-year collaboration between David L. Bassett, a School of Medicine alumnus and faculty member known for his elegant dissections and love for the human body, and William Gruber, the photographer who invented the View-Master stereoscopic viewing device.

This partnership between the two resulted in the production of the Stereoscopic Atlas of Human Anatomy, which began in 1948, but was not not completed until 1962. It consisted of 221 View-Master reels with 1,554 color stereo views of dissections of every body region. Each stereo view was accompanied by a black-and-white, labeled drawing and explanatory text.

Author

Stanford School of Medicine

Contact Drew Bourn at dbourn@stanford.edu for permission regarding the use of Bassett Collection images

Features

• Each image is accompanied by a clearly labeled representational illustration
• Images are  large and well-suited for printing
• Extremely comprehensive

Limitations

• Only illustrations are labeled.  Could help if the actual photos were labeled as well.

Submitted by Jill Gregory

From McGraw Hill

Anatomy & Physiology Revealed is an
interactive cadaver dissection experience. Cadaver photos blended with
a state-of-the-art layering technique let you peel away layers of the
human body to reveal structures beneath the surface. This easy-to-use
program includes animations, radiologic imaging, audio pronunciations,
and a comprehensive quizzing tool.

Each layer of dissection was carefully photographed and retouched by
medical illustrators to produce incredibly clear dissection images.

Author

McGraw Hill in conjunction with the Medical College of Ohio

Features

• Well designed and intuitive user interface
• Structures are grouped in layers.  Allows you to adjust the transparency of each layer to visualize anatomical relationships.
• Simple animations help you visualize anatomical movements, relationships, and physiological concepts.
• Includes audio pronunciation of key anatomical terms.
• Each system is accompanied by x-ray, MRI and CT images to help visualize anatomy across mediums.
• Comprehensive quiz section mimics challenging lab practicals.

Limitations

• None so far!

Submitted by Allie Queck

From Human Anatomy Online:

Examine the human body using the most comprehensive electronic collection of cadaveric images available today. Our innovation is to focus on concise descriptions of steps in the dissection process and provide key illustrations. Steps of the dissection are illustrated with important structures individually identified and processes such as the reflection of muscles shown with a sequence of images. This approach not only provides students with a resource to guide them through the requisite steps of a particular laboratory, but also serves as a powerful tool for independent study and review.

Author

There appear to be many authors involved.  It’s hosted by SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Features

• Divides each lab dissection into four sections
  • 1. Overview of the lab
  • 2. Osteology of the region
  • 3.  Step-by-step dissection instructions
  • 4.  Summary terms
• Relevant cadaveric images are displayed alongside descriptive text which improves learning
• Most images are accompanied by an orientation map
• All images are clickable for a larger version
• Links and references to these editions of commonly used atlases accompany many of the dissections:
  • Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy, 9th edition: by figure number
  • Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, 1tst and 2nd edition: by plate number
  • Rohen and Yokochi’s Color Atlas of Anatomy, 3rd edition: by page number
• Contains over 4,500 quiz questions in best-answer format (they point to a structure and you name it).  You can even specify which body region you want to be quizzed on.  Very comprehensive!

Limitations

• The site is in need of a re-design focusing on creating more intuitive navigation and a wider layout to accomodate larger images.