In this article only specific observations are discussed, with an objective of creating a sophisticated museum that can educate both medical students and public.
AbstractAnatomy museums display the intricacy of human anatomy to medical students and public. This study aims to create a prototype of a digitalized twenty first century museum. The prototype was conceived after a study on sixteen renowned anatomy museums in India. The museums have evolved over the centuries from an institute housing a collection of models, to one with formalin preserved specimens and plastinates. The modern anatomy museums are digitalized and use audiovisual aids and electronic screens to express anatomy. The advances in science must be utilized in medical education. The future generations live in world that is completely digitalized. Hence, modern innovations such as computer, internet, Wi-Fi, electronic screens, projectors, 3-D viewing capabilities, 3-D holograms and anatomical mannequins, must be used to teach anatomy in anatomy museums. It is also essential to incorporate museum visit, as a part of regular curriculum, in schools and in undergraduate medical education. An anatomy museum is not meant only for display of specimens. It has to be designed, to function as an institute where active learning can take place, thus including the museum in the mainstream of medical education. The future of anatomy will certainly be more digitalized. However, the traditional techniques of model making, dissection and plastination will always have a special place in all the anatomy museums for time immemorial.