Thorax Virtual Anatomy Lab for Pre‐professional Health Sciences Students

The traditional anatomy classrooms for professional students at our university have become too small to accommodate the growing demand for undergraduate anatomy courses. We have offered an online undergraduate human anatomy course since 2002, to serve as a prerequisite for higher programs. We are now addressing the question asked by students “Is there a lab with this course?” Virtual anatomy labs targeted for specific groups of students are now under development. The laboratory text Learning Human Anatomy, by Dr. Julia Guy at Ohio State University, with companion CDROM Anatomy Lab enables the student to work independently before coming to the gross anatomy lab. Virtual and real visits to the anatomy lab will be arranged in addition to the online assignments when possible. The students can choose the following lab modules to fit their needs: Limbs and Back, Thorax, Abdominopelvic Region, and Head and Neck. The combination of the general anatomy course and the Virtual Lab in areas of interest will provide sufficient information for these students to fulfill prerequisite requirements and prepare for higher level anatomy courses. (Supported in part by the Neurobiology and Anatomy Department, West Virginia University School of Medicine, account # 491030050, fund# 12305495)