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

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.