In addition to our traditional Human Anatomy Lab (HAL), the UConn School of Medicine uses innovative technology in our new Virtual Anatomy Lab (VAL) to help students span the gap between gross anatomy and state-of-the-art medical imaging. The VAL affords students with the opportunity to learn cross-sectional anatomy and radiologic imaging alongside cadaveric dissection.

Anatomage Virtual Cadaver

Our new Anatomage virtual cadaver table displays life-size virtual cadavers, allowing students to view gross anatomy in axial, sagittal, and coronal slices with full control over the clipping plane. The ability to explore these images and reinforce anatomical relationships provides a powerful link between cadaveric anatomy and radiology images such as CT and MRI scans.

Radiology (RAD) Workstations

At the RAD workstations, students access a library of de-identified patient images, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and diagnostic procedures using a PACS viewer. They apply their anatomical knowledge to navigate and interpret these clinical and diagnostic images.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound sessions are also held in the VAL, providing students with hands on experience, in which student acquire knowledge of surface anatomy with the location and orientation of internal anatomy, while also learning the essential principles underlying this technology. In the VAL, students perform ultrasound on patient instructors to visualize normal anatomy as well as examining relevant pathologies using virtual sonography workstations.

BodyViz

Another resource called BodyViz provides volumetric reconstruction of CT and MRI scans that allows students to use gaming technology (X-Box controllers) to fly through and explore anatomical structures from any orientation. BodyViz has extensive visualization features that enable users to quickly and effectively view and interact with MRI and CT scan data in a 3D manner.