Alternatives to Cadaveric Dissection in Medical Education: An Overview

The best way to impart anatomical knowledge remains a subject of significant discussion. A thorough grasp of anatomy is essential for surgeons to perform safe surgical procedures. Effective teaching methods are, therefore, crucial to support safe clinical practice. We analyzed various approaches to suggest the most effective teaching methods in anatomy education. Cadaver-based instruction has been a primary teaching technique, although with varying views on whether extensive dissection remains suitable for modern undergraduate programs. Many medical schools have shifted from dissection-based teaching to alternative methods due to several constraints. Virtual dissection enhances accessibility to anatomical structures. Prosection is a valuable method for understanding anatomical relations. Plastination enhances the visualization of complex anatomical structures. Synthetic cadavers and plastic models exhibited improved test scores. Three-dimensional printing models allow visualization of anatomical structures from multiple angles. Radiology-based teaching facilitates an early grasp of clinical applications. Augmented reality provides a deeper understanding of concepts. Body painting and surface anatomy promote active learning. Curricular requirements are unlikely to be met by a single teaching tool and using varied complementary pedagogical resources may be the most effective way to teach anatomy. Medical students, particularly those aspiring to become surgeons, would benefit most from complete body dissection. In contrast, students studying allied health sciences would benefit significantly from education based on prosection and plastination. Future research should focus on evaluating the feasibility of new teaching methods and their capacity to meet learning outcomes in medical curricula, as well as obtaining student feedback on integrated and multimodal educational paradigms.