A Prototype of Digitalized Anatomy Museum with a Scientific Design

A museum may be defined as an institute that displays a collection of artifacts of scientific or artistic significance to a specific group of visitors [1]. Anatomy museums play a dominant role in educating the community regarding the intricacy and structural organization of the human body [2]. The concept of anatomy museum was first conceived by the Edinburg Surgeons during 1700-1763 A.D. A cabinet containing anatomical pictures, books and few specimens was first prepared and this was called the “cabinet of curiosities” [3]. Early museums were institutes housing a simple collection of models of anatomical specimens. The models were made of diverse materials like wood, clay, wax and ivory [4]. The discovery of formalin in 1859 by Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov and its subsequent isolation in 1868 by August Wilhelm Von Hoffmann was a great milestone in anatomical history, as it completely changed the manner in which anatomy would be preserved for future generations [5]. Since 1868, the anatomy museums have evolved significantly with the invention of novel museums techniques. Plastination was invented in 1978 at the University of Heidelberg by Gunther von Hagens [6]. There is a significant transition in the nature of collections exhibited in Anatomy museums. The museums have metamorphosed substantially, from a collection of models and art to express anatomy in eighteenth century, to the use of formalin preserved specimens in nineteenth century, to plastinates in late twentieth century [7]. The La Specola Collection [8], the Hunterian museum [9], Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburg [10], Anatomy Museum of Queen’s University of Belfast [11] and the Pedro Ara Anatomy Museum [12] are some renowned international anatomy museums. The modern museums are digitalized and use audio-visual aids to display anatomy. This study is an original research on Indian museums, which aims to collect information on all aspects of museum. This information has been used to design a prototype of a digitalized anatomy museum, which would benefit both the medical students and the public. The authors believe that 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.