# Projected Medical Teaching Tools Virtual Anatomical Model is a Digital Diagram of the Human Body By Wes Walcott | Published 2012-09-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-anatomical-model References: [diginfo](http://www.diginfo.tv/v/12-0168-r-en.php) & [hme.gif](http://www.hme.gif) Developed by a team of researchers at Japan's Gifu University, the virtual anatomical model is being designed as a teaching aid to better educate medical students and practitioners about cerebral nerves. Because facial expression muscles and multi-branched facial nerves have a very complicated structure, it's believed that having a [3D interactive model](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biopal) will provide a much better learning guide than current methods. The thing that makes this virtual anatomical model so useful and what sets it apart from other virtual models is the way that users can interact with it to view the body from any conceivable angle. The system utilizes a [handheld viewer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tutar) that is linked to the model so that, wherever the viewer is positioned over the model, the image on screen will correspond to that part of the body. In effect, this makes studying the intricate maze of sinews and fibres that is the human body a whole lot easier. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Virtual Anatomical Models:** Opportunity for creating interactive virtual models to enhance medical education and training. - **3D Interactive Learning:** Opportunity to develop immersive learning tools that allow users to view subjects from multiple angles. - **Handheld Viewers:** Opportunity to create portable devices that enhance user interaction with virtual models. ### Who This Affects Most - **Medical Education:** Opportunity for educational institutions to adopt virtual anatomical models for more effective teaching. - **Medical Technology:** Opportunity for companies to develop advanced 3D interactive learning tools for medical professionals. - **Consumer Electronics:** Opportunity for tech companies to create innovative handheld viewer devices for various applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Virtual Medical Training Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elara.md) - [Spatial Computing-Powered Training Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/injection-simulator.md) - [Human Body Discovery Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-squishy-human-body.md) - [Anatomical Plush Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-skull-with-hidden-organs.md) - [VR-Based Pain Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smileyscope.md) - [Machine Learning-Powered Healthcare Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/andrew-zhou.md) - [Early Diagnosis Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/machinemd.md) - [3D Skin Mapping Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-skin-mapping-tool.md) - [Multi-Sensory Education Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vr-education-device.md)