Applications of Augmented and Virtual Reality in Anatomical and Medical Education

Anatomical training has traditionally been taught through the practise of cadaveric dissection, as it offers one of the most realistic representations of the human form and spatial relationships between structures. However, dissection is resource intensive on institutions and cannot be used outside of classroom hours. In lieu of these disadvantages, there have been major developments in visualisation and educational anatomical products with digital technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The aim of this review is to demonstrate how VR and AR technologies can best be used for teaching anatomy. From examining the growing body of literature in this emerging field, there is wide support for these technologies, improving interactivity, engagement, accessibility, retention of knowledge and enhancing students understanding of the 3-dimensional representation of the human body. These technologies can also be utilised in the postgraduate environment. We shall present the evidence to support VR and AR technologies for the classroom, but also highlight the limitations of such resources. We shall provide a comprehensive account of these types of technologies for the classroom, highlighting that they can be a very useful adjunct, and not replacement, for traditional techniques in anatomical education and training