Monash University Releases 3D-Printed Anatomy Alternative to Cadavers for Medical Education

Source: http://inside3dprinting.com/

(3DPrint.com) — Monash University scientists have released their 3D Printed Anatomy Series. It’s a kit containing no actual human tissue, but it is an accurate and crucially important tool to teach students the intricacies of human anatomy. The 3D-printed anatomy kit iis the result of a cooperative effort between researchers at the Australian university and German anatomical model maker Erler-Zimmer GmbH.

The team at the Monash University Centre for Human Anatomy Education produced this alternative to the cadaver, and professor Paul McMenamin, director of the Centre, said it will streamline what has been a complicated and expensive process. “For centuries cadavers bequested to medical schools have been used to teach students about human anatomy, a practice that continues today,” McMenamin said. “However, many medical schools report either a shortage of cadavers, or find their handling and storage too expensive as a result of strict regulations governing where cadavers can be dissected. We believe our kit will revolutionize learning for medical students by enabling them to look inside the body and see the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. We believe this kit will make a huge difference – a sort of 3D textbook if you like. “