New to using Human Anatomy Atlas on an iPhone, iPad, or Android? This article highlights the most popular features. Read it, watch the short videos, and you’ll get a good idea of how to move the 3D models, search for preset views, and create your own 3D model views.
Moving and interacting with the 3D models
Use the following gestures to move or interact with the 3D models on screen.
- Rotate: Drag one finger to rotate the model
- Move/Pan: Drag two fingers to move the model around the screen
- Zoom/Scale: Spread two fingers apart to zoom in. Pinch two fingers together to zoom out.
- Select: Tap on a structure to select it.
- Undo a move: When in a 3D view, select the History button from the bottom menu bar. On phones History is in the bottom menu bar under More. You can then Undo or Redo edits made to the model on screen, or Refresh the model and restore it to the original state.
- Change model from male to female: In the main anatomy views you can switch the model between female and male. On phones this button is in the bottom menu bar under Tools. On tablets this button is on the top menu bar.
Search for content
Select Content Search from the bottom menu bar on the home screen and enter a search term. This will search the apps entire database.
The results will include entries related to your search term from all types of content in the app. These include:
- Male and female gross anatomy models
- Microanatomy models
- Bone landmarks
- Muscle attachments
- 3D model cross-sections paired with cadaver slices and CT and MRI images
- Preset views
- Animations
- Quizzes.
Browse preset 3D model views
The Views menu is the first option on the top menu bar on the home screen. Use it to browse preset views of specific body systems, regions, structures, and muscle actions. Preset views are categorized under these options:
The Regions and Systems category include gross anatomy views commonly seen in systems-based or regional-based anatomy courses and reference materials. Use the tools in the bottom menu bar or in the content box to access detailed information about the anatomical structures or to add or remove anatomy.
The Gross Anatomy Lab category includes views that mimic an gross anatomy lab experience. The views in this section display the male or female gross anatomy model on a dissection table. The views in this section include a special tool box with options to (1) turn the model from the supine to prone position on the table and (2) remove the table and use the Augmented Reality option to place the body on a surface in your environment.
To see 3D models side-by-side with cadaver slices or diagnostic imaging (CT scans and MRI scans) browse the Cross-Sections category. This group includes series of sliced 3D models from various regions of the body. Select the Images button on the side of the screen to open a tray with diagnostic imaging and cadaver scans that are matched to the 3D cross-section model. The views in this section include a special tool box with options to (1) Flip the 3D cross-section model and accompanying images and (2) arrows to move through the series.
The Microanatomy category includes specialty 3D models that display microanatomy and functional units of anatomy. Some of the content in this section is an optional in-app purchase.
To see moving 3D models of muscles and bones, browse the Muscle Actions section. The 3D model views in this group include a special tool box with options to (1) pause or step through the animation , and (2) use the Augmented Reality option to place the moving muscle action in your environment.
Browse animations
The Animations menu option is available in some versions of Human Anatomy Atlas. The animations are optional in-app purchases and present core physiology concepts and common pathologies. Select the Settings button in the bottom menu bar to turn on captions for the animations.
Browse Quizzes
The Quizzes menu option on the top menu bar on the home screen includes Quizzes and Lab Activities that engage users to practice identifying anatomical structures.
The Quizzes category is organized by system. Once in a quiz, select a structure and submit an answer. In some cases, rotate around the model and hide structures to locate the correct answer.
The 3D models in the Lab Activities section are designed to be used with worksheets available for free from the Visible Body website. Use the activities in virtual or Augmented Reality mode.
Get Detailed Information on a Structure
Detailed information about an anatomical structure is accessible from its Content box. Select a structure to access the Content box. Below the structure’s name appears its Latin name followed by a series of icons.
From left to right, select a button to access the following information:
- Book icon - structure definition
- Stethoscope icon - related common pathologies
- speaker icon - pronunciation [English only]
For most bones an additional multi-colored icon appears. Select it to access related content such as bony landmarks and dental surfaces.
For select nervous system structures an additional multi-colored icon appears. Select it to access related content such as somatosensory areas of the cerebrum.
For integumentary system structures an additional multi-colored icon appears. Select it to access related content such as dermatome.
For most muscles an additional pin icon appears. Select it to access related content such as origins, insertions, innervation, and muscle actions.
Add anatomy
There are several ways to add anatomy to the 3D model on screen.
- Search for a specific structure or group: When in a 3D view, use the Anatomy Search button in the bottom menu bar to search for specific structures and add those 3D models to the view on screen.
- Add more anatomy using the hierarchy of a body system: Select a structure and tap on its name in the Content box to reveal the Breadcrumb trail that shows how that structure is grouped within the body system hierarchy. Select any group in the hierarchy to add the models from that group to the view on screen.
- Add anatomy surrounding a specific structure: Select a structure and its Content box appears. Tap the Radius Blast button in the content box to add surrounding anatomy. Tap it again to add more. After a few taps, the button becomes disabled. Select a nearby structure and start tapping the Radius Blast button again to add more surrounding anatomy.
- Add anatomy by system: Use the Systems tray to add all the 3D models from a specific body system to a view on screen. Use the filter at the top of the System tray to limit the structures added to a specific body region.
Remove anatomy
There are a few ways to remove anatomy from a 3D model set on the screen:
- One structure at a time or a group of selected structures: Tap on a structure to select it. In the Content box that appears, select the Hide button to remove the structure from the screen. Turn on the Multi-select button in the bottom menu bar, tap on a series of structures, then on the Hide button in the Content box to remove the selected structures from the screen. When done, tap the Multi-select button again to turn off the mode.
- A series of structures: Tap the Dissect button in the bottom menu bar to turn on the mode. Any structure selected is removed from screen. When done with the dissection, tap the button again to turn off the mode.
- A group of structures from the same system: Option 1: Open the Systems tray and select the icon for a system to remove all its structures from the view on screen. Use the filter at the top of the System tray to limit the structures removed to a specific body region for a system. Option 2: Select a structure and its Content box appears. Tap Options under Select Others, choose Same System, tap Select Others and then Hide.
- All structures on screen except one: Option 1: To temporarily view a single anatomical structure in a 3D view, select it and its Content box appears. Tap the Isolate button. When done, tap the Isolate button again to turn off the mode and return to the original view. Option 2: To remove all structures in a view, except one, select the structure and its Content box appears. Tap Select Others and then Hide.
Save views and create a presentation
When in a 3D view, select Save View from the bottom menu bar to add the view to the library on the top bar of the home screen. To link a set of saved views, enter the Tours menu on the top bar of the home screen and select Start. Select the desired views and tap Save. The presentation will appear in the Tours menu.
Use Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality mode is available for most 3D model views in Human Anatomy Atlas. Read this article for a general introduction to using Augmented Reality mode and this article for using Augmented Reality mode with Lab Activities.
In Augmented Reality mode a special tool box appears. Tap the Augmented Reality button to exit the mode. Tap the Reposition button to rescan the environment in AR mode and place the model on a different surface.
Set preferences
Watch this video to learn how to change your preferences and how to make Human Anatomy Atlas more accessible.