Spinal Cord Anatomy for Visually Impaired Students: The Development of 3D-Printed Educational Models.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Anatomy Education
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional neuroanatomy education is heavily reliant on visual perception.
• This presents a significant barrier for visually impaired students.
• Accessible learning tools are needed to overcome these educational disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate tactile 3D-printed models for neuroanatomy education.
• To make spinal cord anatomy and neuronal morphology accessible to visually impaired learners.
• To assess the efficacy of these models as inclusive educational aids.

Main Methods:

• Digital reconstruction of anatomical references.
• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing using PLA and TPU materials.
• Creation of scaled-up, high-relief models of neurons and spinal cord segments.

Main Results:

• 3D-printed models successfully translated abstract microscopic concepts into tangible objects.
• Blind students could distinguish anatomical features previously indistinguishable in cadaveric specimens.
• Models served as valuable cognitive aids for both visually impaired and sighted learners.

Conclusions:

• Reproducible 3D-printed models offer a potential solution for inclusive neuroanatomy education.
• These multisensory tools provide an equitable learning experience, benefiting all students.
• The models facilitate a better understanding of the complex three-dimensional organization of the human nervous system.