Introduction

The discipline of human anatomy is the essence of medical education. It imparts students with a fundamental and deep knowledge of the organization of human body. An effective teaching of anatomy ensures future physicians with better surgical and clinical performances.^[1,2,3] Traditional approaches for teaching gross anatomy typically involves lectures accompanied by supplemental textbooks, as well as hands-on learning through cadaver dissections and prosections.^[4]

While still controversial, cadavers, be animal or human are one of the most effective methods of learning about the body.^[5] Cadavers enable students to grasp the surface anatomy of various structures, gain tactile understanding of tissues and organs, and appreciate the prevalence of anatomical variations, making it the most superior method for learning human anatomy till date.^[6] However, there are various factors that constrain the cadaver-based teaching methods, such as the increasing demand for cadavers with respect to the number of students, recurring cost of acquiring, maintaining and treating cadavers, longer time involved in cadaveric dissections, difficulty to revisit completed dissections due to damaged structures, constant formaldehyde exposure triggering irritation of mucus membranes and neuropsychological effects, molds/fungus/maggots developed on formaldehyde stored cadavers. Moreover, cadavers stored in formalin tanks show high rigidity and are less lifelike. They need to be lifted out by special hydraulic lifters before actual dissection restricting cadaver positioning, limiting students access. Developing an effective method for teaching human anatomy to medical students has been a long-time goal.^[7]

In order to enhance the TLE and improve students' understanding of gross human anatomy educators integrate diverse digital tools and resources into their instructional approaches. With the advancement of novel technological tools, namely virtual dissection table (VDT), anatomy education is experiencing a paradigm shift. VDT, allows students to explore anatomical structures in a three-dimensional (3D) way, providing immersive and interactive learning experiences that are difficult to replicate in traditional classroom settings and therefore introducing a new method to approach human anatomy.

Along with cadaveric dissection, the use of flat, 2-D structures in didactic portions of anatomy courses impedes the students’ comprehension and grasp of anatomy, ultimately limiting the overall effectiveness and quality of the teaching and learning experience (TLE).

Universities have adopted modern integrated curricula incorporating problem-based learning (PBL), case-based learning (CBL), team-based learning (TBL), and other computer-assisted teaching methods in their undergraduate anatomy courses.^[14-18] These resources provide a visual and interactive approach to learning, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex structures of the human body.^[19] With recent advancement in technologies, educators are investigating innovative approaches to enhance the teaching and understanding of anatomy.^[19] Technological tools such as literature mining, drug discovery, genomic studies, clinical decision support systems, telemedicine, personalized medicine, predictive analytics, education, and data management are being applied in diverse areas of medicine.^[20] There are a variety of tools including 3-D virtual anatomy applications and anatomical models, newer approaches such as computer-assisted learning models, interactive computer-based software, and radiological images have been introduced.^[21]

Studies have demonstrated that the incorporation of particular supplementary technologies can improve students' understanding of human anatomy and their academic performance in anatomy and related courses.^[22] The use of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and applications (apps) offers students with immersive learning opportunities, and enabling them to visualize intricate anatomical structures in a 3D environment.^[23-27] Incorporating technology into classroom instruction where educators can use digital anatomy software to produce interactive presentations and quizzes that promote active engagement and critical thinking can significantly enhance student engagement and comprehension.^[28]

CADAVIZ, acclaimed in the field of virtual anatomy dissection, is a cutting-edge device that features an electronic table with a ultra-wide multi-touch screen, with multiple and simultaneous touch points. It is an educational tool providing a full-scale digital depiction of the human body,

It has the potential to be used in the learning process, as a system to scientifically examine and identify ayurvedic prakriti classification and therapies (case library). It could be used to identify the variations and differences between Prakriti types that determine the predisposition to diseases and response to treatments (Image 3a, 3d). Animal anatomy, Ayurveda Sandhi Sharir simulations, Asthi Sharir static body with details and Marma simulations are added as newer advancements which makes instrument fulfilling and usable to Ayurveda anatomists & other department faculties.

In medical curriculum: Content is aligned with competency-based medical education (CBME curriculum). It includes 12+ subjects including gross anatomy, muscle motion, osteology, histopathology, histology, regional anatomy, anatomy of organs, block dissection, clinical examination, embryology etc. It includes 60+ block dissections with precise instructions & interactive simulations. Dissections can be done in any plane of body to understand tissues & organs. Prosections of dissected cadaver or cadaver organs are also imaged in CADAVIZ to have better understanding of details of anatomy of a particular organ. Anatomy of specific organs is visualized in a realistic manner. Contents include 2000+ physiology simulations to develop a deeper understanding of different physiological processes of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, neurology & gastrointestinal systems. Embryology explaining growth of fetus up to 40 weeks has been elaborated with help of interactive & systemic processes & embryonic transformations. Osteology encompasses bone development, classification of bones, structure & functional descriptions which are easy & simple to understand. It provides with 700+ Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) cases & 100+ clinical simulations, exploring real-life patient images & radiological scans. It helps in giving students insight into diagnosis, clinical implications & treatments mimicking real-world scenarios. With help of muscle movement simulations, students can study intricacies of muscular system such as origin, insertion & nerve supply of particular muscles incl. muscle movements. In Paedology, anatomical changes, behavioral changes & developmental milestones in children are well described here. Apart from all these features, CADAVIZ lets user create their own quizzes & puzzle, which is an exce. feature which lets teachers take control & customize instrument as per their requirement.

Image 1: CADAVIZ Demonstration and Training

1. Table is compact, easy to install, effortless to maneuver through various modules & ext. useful for teaching learning processes as per current system.
2. The table is vivid with interactive visualizations of real data. Organs or regions can be viewed by adjusting the complexity to gain a better understanding (rather than dissecting).
3. Multiple screens can be configured by connecting to projectors.
4. Students learn together, and can perform dissections multiple times thus bridging the gap between theory and practical’s.

It bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical applications/practice. VDT enhances the educational experience and aids in better retention of concepts through in-depth explanation, visually compelling and accurate representation of the human body, along with self-evaluation assessments. VDT helps correlate between the English and Sanskrit terminology, interpreting unambiguously, particularly in subjects like Sankhya Sharir, Asthi Sharir, and Sandhi Sharir.

In conclusion, VDT in combination with traditional ayurveda medical training methods can enhance the effectiveness of teaching learning processes. It could play a pivotal role as an essential resource in the training of Ayurveda health care professionals.