Education Committee Tip of the Month

'A Framework for Balancing Traditional and Digital Approaches in Anatomy Education'

Written by Sharmila Rajendran (Departmental Lecturer in Anatomy) and Professor Helen Christian (Associate Director of Preclinical Studies), Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford.

Anatomy education continues to evolve through technological innovation, curriculum reform, and improved laboratory infrastructure. Despite these developments, established methods—including cadaveric dissection, prosection, plastinated specimens, living and surface anatomy, and ultrasound—remain central to anatomical learning. These approaches cultivate spatial awareness, tactile proficiency, appreciation of anatomical variation, and professional and ethical conduct. At the same time, digital innovations such as 3D software, virtual and augmented reality, digital cadavers, interactive platforms, and AI-enabled tools have expanded access to visualisation, revision, and adaptive learning.

The rapid expansion of these technologies represents a transformative phase in medical education. While their integration is increasingly inevitable, their value depends on careful evaluation, alignment with curricular objectives, and pedagogical oversight. The key challenge lies in achieving balance—ensuring that digital tools enhance and extend, rather than replace, established donor-centred practices. A balanced anatomy curriculum must be guided by clear educational intent and defined learning outcomes, which vary across undergraduate, clinical, and advanced training programs.

Hands-on competencies—such as developing tactile skills, recognising anatomical variability, and cultivating ethical awareness and professional identity—are best achieved through specimen-based, donor-centred learning. When cadaveric teaching is limited or unavailable, plastinated specimens, anatomical models, and museum collections offer valuable alternatives by allowing repeated study and exposure to anatomical variation, especially in resource-limited settings.

Digital platforms (such as annotated images, instructional videos and 3D applications) further support conceptual outcomes, including spatial orientation, integration of imaging, enabling repeated, self-directed engagement, revision and consolidation.

Imaging-based anatomy, including radiographs, CT, and MRI, reinforces cross-sectional understanding and strengthens connections between anatomy, radiology, surgery, and clinical reasoning. Living and surface anatomy, as well as point-of-care ultrasound, further bridge static anatomical knowledge with dynamic, critical-thinking skills.

Adaptive platforms and AI-assisted tools such as AI-assisted image analysis and guided interpretation may also facilitate personalised feedback and help identify knowledge gaps, provided their use remains aligned with academic standards and educational goals.

Achieving balance also depends on instructional design. Synchronous teaching is well-suited for guided dissection, prosection demonstrations, supervised ultrasound, peer-assisted learning, game-based learning and instructor-led digital-supported sessions. Asynchronous digital resources, such as narrated 3D models, interactive atlases, adaptive quizzes, and AI-enabled tutoring tools, support preparation, revision, and flexible access. Ensuring accessibility and learner support remains essential.

While some traditional activities may be supplemented or partially replaced by digital approaches, maintaining core donor-based and hands-on teaching is essential for educational continuity, ethical development, and professional identity formation. When thoughtfully integrated, traditional and digital methods together provide a cohesive, resilient, and sustainable framework for contemporary anatomy education.

References

Arráez-Aybar, L. A. (2025). Evolving Anatomy Education: Bridging Dissection, Traditional Methods, and Technological Innovation for Clinical Excellence. Anatomia, 4(2), 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia4020009

Bridging the gap: How cadaveric dissection and cutting-edge technology together shape tomorrow’s medical education. (2025). Medical Education, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.52083/RUTR3243

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The Symington Bequest Travel Fund

The Trustees of the Symington Bequest Fund make grants to Society Members towards costs associated with the conduction and dissemination of anatomical research.

Congratulations to our most recent awardees! Below is the list of the names of the individuals who were awarded this travel fund, and the reports of previous awardees.

Academic Year 2025/2026

Round 1

Dr Alaa Alshwayyat participated in the 5th International Scientific Congress on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Budapest, Hungary, 11th to 14th March 2026. REPORT

Dr Miranda Steacy participated in the Gordon Research Conference and Seminar: Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration, Ventura, California, USA, 21st to 27th March 2026. REPORT Photo

Round 2

Dr Marta Perera Perez participated in the Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration Gordon Research Conference, Ventura, California, USA, 22nd to 27th March 2026 REPORT Photo

Deadlines for next round for Receipt of Applications

Award application deadline date for round 4 of the 2025/2026 award year:

• Symington Bequest

• Barclay Smith Travelling Fund

• Fellowship of the Anatomical Society

• Public Engagement and Outreach

• Departmental Seminar Awards

Deadline: 16.06.2026

Award application deadline date for round 4 of the 2025/2026 award year:

• Support for Student Societies

Deadline: 02.06.2026

N.B: For academic year 2025/2026 onwards, there will only be 5 prize rounds and council meetings.

Anatomy Research Developmental Awards 2025/2026 

Please find below the approved reports for the two Anatomical Society Anatomy Research Developmental Awards for the academic year 2025/2026.

Awardee: Dr Shane Browne

Institution: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)

Project Title: Next generation 3D model of ageing vasculature using cell-centred hydrogels

Project Resume

Awardee: Dr Benedicta Quaye

Institution: University of Lancaster

Project Title: High-plex In Situ Hybridization Profiling of the Ligamentum Arteriosum, Aorta, and Pulmonary Trunk in Murine Models

Project Resume

22^nd Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), 13^th-16^th August 2026, Melbourne, Australia

Standard registration for the 22nd IFAA Congress is still available!

This is an opportunity to share our work, insights, and innovations with a global audience of colleagues and thought leaders in anatomy and related fields, including:

• Anatomical Sciences Education

• Surgical and Clinical Anatomy

• Imaging Anatomy

• Neuroscience and Cell Biology

• Ethics and Law

• Anatomy for Everyone, including Biological Anthropology, Forensics, Histology, Developmental Anatomy/Embryology

For more information regarding the registration, please visit this link: https://ifaa2026.org/en-AU/pages/registration/registration

Journal of Anatomy

For a summary of many of the published articles check out @JournalofAnat. As a member of the Anatomical Society you have access to these articles and to the Journal of Anatomy through Wiley Online Library. 

Access the journal here.

The cover image for the latest issue is from a paper by A. Campbell et al., titled ‘Molecular insights into electroreceptor ribbon synapses from differential gene expression in sturgeon lateral line organs’. 

The study aimed to identify genes involved in electroreceptor ribbon synapses in sturgeon and found that they are largely similar to hair cell synapses (glutamatergic and sharing key proteins) but show some distinct molecular differences

Access the paper  here

The cover image for the journal's April issue is shown below:

The cover image for the latest issue shows two larval stages of sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) immunostained for Sox2 (top) and for Sox2 plus acetylated alpha-tubulin (bottom). In the younger stage (left), Sox2 labels lines of neuromasts plus other sense organs (eyes, olfactory pits, taste buds). In the older stage (right), Sox2 also labels electrosensory ampullary organs flanking the neuromast lines. In both stages, acetylated alpha-tubulin labels nerve fibres.

Aging Cell

Aging Cell is a bi-monthly peer-reviewed, open access journal that aims to publish the highest quality, innovative research addressing fundamental issues in the biology of aging.  We would like to remind you that our colleagues Aging Cell are now back on X and sharing exciting news and updates on articles from their journal. Please give them a follow @aging_cell

Access the journal here: Aging Cell

The cover image for the journal's April issue is shown below and is based on the article 'Plasma Proteome Profiling of Centenarian Across Switzerland Reveals Key Youth-Associated Proteins' by Flavien Delhaes et al. 

The study aimed to identify plasma proteins associated with healthy aging in centenarians and found key “youth-like” proteins and pathways linked to longevity, particularly in metabolism, immunity, and cell survival.

Access the paper  here