Interactive anatomy: A different approach to dissecting the human body

Traditionally dissection has been the most valuable means of gaining an understanding of the human body. However, it is difficult technically, complex logistically, time consuming and expensive. In our innovative project (CAUT funded) serial photographs of eight cadavers in each stage of dissection are being scanned onto CD ROM from multiple perspectives (region by region, layer by layer, system by system and structure by structure). We are using Quicktime VR to provide a virtual dissection environment. Each student may control both the rate and sequence of revealing the architecture of the human body. A region (eg. the scalp), layer (eg. skin), system (eg. arterial), or an individual structure (eg. the superficial temporal artery), may be removed or replaced at will, ie. the human body may be deconstructed and/or constructed.