Designing a Contemporary Anatomy Museum: Anatomists’ Perspective

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Venkatesh G. Kamath, M.B.B.S., M. D. Anatomy, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. E-Mail: [email protected] *1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, India. 2 Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, ESICMC-PGIMSR, Bangalore, India. 3 Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, India. 4 Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, India. Background: A research study was conducted in sixteen anatomy museums across India. Aim: The aim of the study is to have an integrated approach while designing a museum. Objective: The objective is to stress on the need to have a holistic approach while designing a museum so that that the museum is well planned and organised and has a huge sectional diversity that spans all aspects related to anatomy. Materials and Methods: All the museums were studied using a planned proforma that emphasised on special features of the museum with special emphasis on sectional variety. Observations: The various techniques of specimen preparation, preservation, mounting and display were observed and photographed. The sectional variety was noted. Moreover the various methods of maintaining specimen related information in pictorial and computerised catalogues was observed. Results and Conclusion: A design of a contemporary anatomy museum can now be conceived that incorporates all aspects of anatomy from history, evolution, embryology, cross-sectional anatomy, comparative anatomy, teratology, genetics and clinical anatomy to sections with modern techniques like plastination. Such a museum will certainly have a more holistic approach to anatomy and will be more educative and scientific.