Exploring Medical Students' Perspective on the Anatomage Three-Dimensional (3D) Virtual Dissection Table as a Tool to...

Human anatomy is a core subject in medical education. The rapid expansion of medical schools, coupled with a scarcity of cadavers, has necessitated innovative teaching methods in anatomy education. Emerging technologies enable virtual cadaver dissections through simulator software, including Zygote, Anatomage, and Sectra tables. Our study assessed the perceptions of medical students regarding the Anatomage three-dimensional (3D) virtual dissection table as a teaching tool, used alongside traditional cadaveric dissection.

A validated five-point Likert-scale questionnaire, supplemented with open-ended comments, was administered to 250 medical students (55% male, 45% female) after obtaining consent. Participants had exposure to Anatomage in gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and embryology during the first year of MBBS. Responses regarding satisfaction, preferences, and learning outcomes were analyzed descriptively, and percentages were calculated using GraphPad Prism 6 software (Dotmatics, Boston, Massachusetts).

Students demonstrated a largely positive perception of the Anatomage virtual dissection table. A majority strongly agreed that Anatomage met their expectations and provided better visualization of anatomy (74.4%). Approximately 70.0% found group sessions on the Anatomage table engaging, and 72.0% reported improved understanding of spatial relationships. The use of Anatomage for virtual dissection of body systems was favorably perceived by 79.2% of students.

Anatomage enhances student engagement through superior 3D visualization of anatomical relationships, serving as a valuable supplement rather than a replacement for cadaveric dissection. Findings from this cohort (n=250) can strengthen generalizability and support hybrid teaching models in resource-limited settings.