Medical students’ perceptions of anatomy teaching using technology and cadavers

Background: Anatomy is a fundamental subject in medical education and, in recent years, traditional cadaveric dissection has increasingly been complemented by digital tools such as virtual and three-dimensional resources. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was administered to 135 medical students from first to sixth year enrolled in different schools in Buenos Aires City, gathering information on how they had taken Anatomy, their use of technology, perceived advantages and disadvantages, and preferences regarding cadavers and digital resources. Results: Most students rated both cadaveric practice and technological tools positively but clearly favored a blended approach; more than half would still choose dissection if they had to select a single method, whereas many reported that technology improved understanding and supported out-of-class review, particularly among those who studied during the COVID‑19 pandemic using virtual formats. Conclusion: Students do not view the issue as choosing between cadavers or technology, but rather express a desire to learn with both, suggesting that the most appropriate educational strategy is to deliberately combine traditional cadaver-based teaching with digital tools.