The Anatomical Guide: Selecting Human Anatomy Charts

Don't know what to look for when shopping for an anatomy chart?  This quick overview on the various types of anatomical charts should make your decision easier!  With so many types of human anatomy charts available to students, teachers, and healthcare professionals, selecting the right chart for educational purposes can be challenging.

The purpose of this review, called "The Anatomical Guide", is to help you identify what to look for when selecting the anatomical educational products, and how to use a simple checklist to ensure you make the best decision possible.  Our business is focused on supplying these educational products, and we felt it was important to present a general "Question & Answer" guide that might help students, educators, and healthcare professionals who might not be familiar with the differences, various options and types of anatomy charts.  We also created an eBay Guide for Selecting Human Anatomy Models.

Additionally, this review will provide some Top Ten Lists of anatomical charts that are designed to help show you how to make your purchasing decision more quickly and confidently.  We hope you find our guide useful - and if so, please scroll to the bottom and let us know by answering the eBay question, "was this guide helpful"? and clicking "yes".  Also, please let us know how we can improve it!

The Anatomical Guide:  Index

1. Anatomy Charts

2. Top Ten Anatomical Charts for Educators and Healthcare Professionals

3. Top Ten Specific and Unique Anatomical Charts

4. Frequently Asked Questions

5. Purchasing Anatomical Charts on the Internet

6. Purchasing Anatomical Charts on eBay

7. Disclaimer

If you have been around different types of anatomical charts, whether in the classroom or on the job, you’ve probably noticed the varying degrees of quality when comparing models.  The same applies to medical or educational human anatomy models.  The details, the descriptions, the coloring, the scale – all seem to be unique from one anatomy representation to the next.  This is because of the mold, materials, assembly, and of course, the medical artist who brought the anatomical model or medical illustration to life.  The majority of anatomy charts and models have been certified by a medical professional for accurancy (unless otherwise noted, or obvious - like a human skull attached to six femurs to make a unique Halloween prop!), so most often the style of chart or model will come down to personal preference.

Anatomy Charts

Anatomical charts are a useful educational resource whether you are a doctor using them as medical reference materials or a science teacher decorating your classroom.  Anatomical system charts, such as a muscular system chart or skeletal system chart, are ideal for repetitive visualization and easy reference of these complex systems.  The majority of human anatomy charts are completely labeled and feature multiple related diagrams and descriptions.  With poster size anatomy charts (and often very large anatomical charts) specific areas of the anatomy become much easier to visualize due the incredible level of accuracy, detail, lifelike colors, and the availability of large format anatomy charts.

The most commonly seen anatomy charts, often seen in medical books and physiology education books, are reprints or updated versions of hand drawn medical charts created by medical illustrators.  Until recently, these charts were all hand drawn and painted.  With today’s graphic design software, medical illustrators are creating even more elaborate and detailed visual representations of the human anatomy, with limitless perspective, illumination, and magnification variations.

Anatomical charts also come in a variety of types.  In addition to the method an anatomy chart or medical illustration communicates a medical concept – such as magnification, series or timeline, diagram, anatomy sections and enlargements – anatomy charts also come in a variety of types:

Laminated Anatomy Charts - are a common type in addition to standard paper stock charts.  1.5mil is the most common laminate thickness, which is terrific for wall hanging and prevents creases from occurring on the paper.

Anatomical Chart Series – a series of individual, covers the entire anatomy of the human body. They are printed in full color on heavy paper.

Notebook-size Anatomy Charts – smaller versions of anatomy charts are ideal for students and medical professionals who travel often.  Their portability and easy reference make these anatomical charts very popular.

Transparency or Overlay Anatomical Charts – This type of anatomy chart is also printed in full color on heavy paper, and additionally has an accompanying translucent overlay with various additional illustrations such as disease states (for easy comparison) or a nomenclature legend (which works very well as a study guide).

Lenticular Anatomy Charts – lenticular charts are very unique – by applying a transparent lens to sections of the anatomy chart illustrion, when looking at the image through the lens and moving to the left or right, the image changes to help describe two or three variations of the illustration.  Lenticular anatomy charts are ideal for showing the progression of disease or medical condition.

Raised-Relief Anatomical Charts – raised relief anatomy charts take advantage of a plastic forming technology which creates elevation changes on the surface of the anatomy chart.  This gives the anatomical chart a three-dimensional appearance.

Top Ten Anatomical Charts for Educators and Healthcare Professionals

The following anatomy charts are ideal for demonstrating general physiology concepts to students as a classroom exhibit, and also to patients as a patient education tool.  A variety of these charts can be purchased on eBay - see the eBay Store AnatomyWarehouse.com for a preview of various anatomy charts.

1. Skeletal Chart – skeletal system

2. Muscular Chart – muscular system

3. Digestive System Chart – digestive system

4. Human Ear Chart – outer ear, inner ear

5. Cardiovascular Chart – ankle, foot

6. Human Heart Chart – vascular, cardio

7. Human Eye Chart – eyeball, muscles

8. Dental Chart – teeth, gums, jaw

9. Fitness Chart – exercise, range of motion

10. Veterinary Anatomy Chart – canine, feline, bovine

Top Ten Specific and Unique Anatomical Charts

1. Smoking Cessation Chart – implications of smoking

2. Sexually Transmitted Disease STD Chart – various STD’s

3. Pregnancy Chart – child birth

4. Diabetes Chart – diabetic implications

5. Acupressure Chart and Acupuncture Chart – description of Leukemia

6. Prostate Cancer Chart – implications of prostate cancer

7. Viral Infections Chart – various viral infections

8. Understanding Cholesterol – eating, diet and cholesterol

9. Training Heart Rate Target Chart – for heart rate monitor training

10. CPR Chart – the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are anatomical models and anatomy charts?

Anatomical charts are created by Certified Medical Illustrators or CMI’s.  Becoming a CMI is an extensive process which typically requires advanced degrees in physiology and medical illustration.  In addition to the relatively limited number of professionals in this competitive profession, medical illustrators are also regarded as high-level artists and the more well-known medical illustrators have their work on display in art museums and international science exhibitions.

Are anatomy charts used in medical books the same?

Several anatomy illustrations seen in medical books originated from anatomical charts.  However, not all anatomical charts find their way into medical publications.  Several anatomy charts are so detailed and cover such a broad area of physiology that the illustration requires as much print space as possible, and shrinking the illustration to an 8.5”x11” size would make the image virtually unreadable.  The great advantage to anatomy charts over similar illustrations in medical books is their comparative size and ability to communicate broad concepts in great detail with relative ease.

How expensive are anatomical charts?  Anatomy Models?

Anatomy Charts range from $9.00 to well over $30.00 depending on the size, quality, level of detail, and optional chart enhancements such as lamination of the paper, or  the use of paper alternatives such as polystyrene.  Be weary of charts costing less than $9.00 in any format (unless there is an unique overrun that is being sold, or a discontinued chart is being offered - both are rare occasions since anatomy charts are somewhat timeless).  While there are exceptions, anatomy charts selling for less than $9.00 are often damaged or lack acceptable coloration and have been discarded by the printer... only to be recovered by a seller looking to take advantage of those unfamiliar with what to look for in a quality chart.  Plan on a quality anatomy chart beginning around $10.00 and be ready to pay over $20.00 if it is laminated or printed on plastic such as polystyrene.

Anatomy Models have a much broader price range.  For instance, a human skull model can range from $20.00 to well over $500.00 depending on the materials used, level of detail (color, texture, fissure depth, weight, etc.), and intended purpose (a Halloween skull obviously won't require the same level of detail as a classroom demostration model for a cranial surgery course at a medical university).  As noted in the following section about purchasing anatomy models on eBay, many companies sell 1st and 4th quality models which vary in quality based manufacturing and shipping specifications. If you are just searching for a human skeleton model or plastic skull to serve as Halloween decorations, then 4th quality anatomy models should meet your needs. However, if you are looking for a professional anatomical model for work or education purposes, make sure that you are buying a 1st quality anatomy model. Typically, manufacturers will list an item as 4th quality if it has been damaged in shipping and cannot be sold as new condition, so make sure you are aware of what the level of quality is for the anatomy model you are ordering.

Can anatomy charts and anatomical models be used for legal purposes?

Like thousands of attorneys worldwide, you can use our anatomical charts and anatomy models for research, demand letters, depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury trials and trial. Clients use medical illustrations during all stages of their cases from research to pre-trial to the courtroom.  You may have seen various types of human anatomy models and anatomical charts on TV shows and in movies as well!

Can anatomical models be used for Halloween?

Anatomical models make excellent Halloween decorations!  Thanks to advances in manufacturing process, inexpensive materials, and production overruns, anatomy models such as skeletons, skulls, and bones make excellent Halloween decorations.  A life-like skull can be purchased for less than $20, and entire skeleton models can be purchased for less than $100.   

Purchasing Anatomical Models and Medical Charts on the Internet

The best selections of anatomical charts and anatomy models can be found online.  There are several online catalogs that specialize in providing a complete selection of anatomy related educational products such as anatomywarehouse.com which also promotes their anatomy charts and anatomical models in their eBay store.  Online catalogs like anatomywarehouse.com are ideal since they gather together a broad selection from numerous suppliers so customers can save time shopping around, and saves the buyer money since they buy in volume and pass the savings along to the buyer.

Purchasing Anatomical Models and Medical Charts on eBay

When you find an anatomical chart or anatomy model you like from a seller on eBay, read the item description carefully to learn as much information about the condition and quality, especially when ordering anatomy models. Many companies sell 1st and 4th quality models which vary in quality based manufacturing and shipping specifications. If you are just searching for a human skeleton model or plastic skull to serve as Halloween decorations, then 4th quality anatomy models should meet your needs. However, if you are looking for a professional anatomical model for work or education purposes, make sure that you are buying a 1st quality anatomy model. Typically, manufacturers will list an item as 4th quality if it has been damaged in shipping and cannot be sold as new condition, so make sure you are aware of what the level of quality is for the anatomy model you are ordering.

Disclaimer

Always consult with your physician before using any of the products or services discussed in this article, titled “The Anatomical Guide”.  The authors of this article and AnatomyWarehouse.com or its affiliates do not make any diagnosis or give medical recommendations.  This article is also published online at theanatomicalguide.com. These products are not intended to cure, heal, or prevent diseases.  Consulting with a Doctor is always recommended. The medical evaluation by a physician is advised at all times. Any self-help application is the responsibility of the user. The authors of this article and AnatomyWarehouse.com do not make or imply any medical claims on products described in this article.