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Article

Where Tradition Meets Innovation: Integrating Historical Collections, Cadaveric Dissection, and Digital Technologies in Anatomy Education

by
Giuseppa D’Amico
1,†,
Martina Di Marco
1,†,
Giuseppe Vergilio
1,
Francesca Monachino
2,
Massimo Fresta
1,
Dario Saguto
1,
Francesco Di Paola
3,4,
Ferdinando Paternostro
5,
Francesca Rappa
1,4,
Fabio Bucchieri
1,4,
Celeste Caruso Bavisotto
1,4,
Filippo Macaluso
1 and
Francesco Cappello
1,4,*
1
Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
2
PhD Course in Medium and Mediality, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
3
Department of Architecture (DARCH), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
4
“COSCIENZA” University Centre, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
5
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Anatomia 2026, 5(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia5030021
Submission received: 1 July 2026 / Revised: 23 July 2026 / Accepted: 1 August 2026 / Published: 4 August 2026
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Abstract

Backgrond/Objectives: Human anatomy education has traditionally relied on cadaveric dissection as the reference standard for acquiring anatomical knowledge. However, decreasing availability of donated bodies, curricular changes, and rapid technological advances have encouraged the progressive integration of complementary educational resources, including historical anatomical collections, physical models, plastinated specimens, and digital technologies. At the same time, anatomical museums have evolved from repositories of scientific heritage into dynamic educational environments that promote public engagement, accessibility, and lifelong learning. Methods: This article presents the educational experience of the Human Anatomy and Histology Institute of the University of Palermo, where historical anatomical collections, cadaveric dissection, plastination, three-dimensional (3D) digitization, virtual anatomy, and interactive educational technologies have been integrated within a single multimodal teaching framework. Results: The strengths and limitations of each educational resource are discussed in relation to contemporary anatomy education and museum communication. Our experience suggests that digital technologies achieve their greatest educational value when they complement rather than replace traditional anatomy teaching. Conclusions: Integrating historical collections with cadaveric study, physical models, and immersive digital tools offers a comprehensive educational approach capable of enhancing anatomical understanding, improving accessibility, and promoting more engaging learning experiences for students and the wider public.
Keywords: anatomy education; anatomical heritage; digital technologies; museums; accessibility anatomy education; anatomical heritage; digital technologies; museums; accessibility

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MDPI and ACS Style

D’Amico, G.; Di Marco, M.; Vergilio, G.; Monachino, F.; Fresta, M.; Saguto, D.; Di Paola, F.; Paternostro, F.; Rappa, F.; Bucchieri, F.; et al. Where Tradition Meets Innovation: Integrating Historical Collections, Cadaveric Dissection, and Digital Technologies in Anatomy Education. Anatomia 2026, 5, 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia5030021

AMA Style

D’Amico G, Di Marco M, Vergilio G, Monachino F, Fresta M, Saguto D, Di Paola F, Paternostro F, Rappa F, Bucchieri F, et al. Where Tradition Meets Innovation: Integrating Historical Collections, Cadaveric Dissection, and Digital Technologies in Anatomy Education. Anatomia. 2026; 5(3):21. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia5030021

Chicago/Turabian Style

D’Amico, Giuseppa, Martina Di Marco, Giuseppe Vergilio, Francesca Monachino, Massimo Fresta, Dario Saguto, Francesco Di Paola, Ferdinando Paternostro, Francesca Rappa, Fabio Bucchieri, and et al. 2026. "Where Tradition Meets Innovation: Integrating Historical Collections, Cadaveric Dissection, and Digital Technologies in Anatomy Education" Anatomia 5, no. 3: 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia5030021

APA Style

D’Amico, G., Di Marco, M., Vergilio, G., Monachino, F., Fresta, M., Saguto, D., Di Paola, F., Paternostro, F., Rappa, F., Bucchieri, F., Caruso Bavisotto, C., Macaluso, F., & Cappello, F. (2026). Where Tradition Meets Innovation: Integrating Historical Collections, Cadaveric Dissection, and Digital Technologies in Anatomy Education. Anatomia, 5(3), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia5030021

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