Introduction: Traditional cadaver dissection remains the cornerstone of anatomy education, yet virtual dissection tools (3D simulations, VR, AR) are emerging as scalable alternatives, particularly in regions like Sri Lanka where cultural and logistical barriers restrict cadaver access. This review evaluates their comparative efficacy, student perceptions, and implementation challenges across global and Sri Lankan context. Methods: A narrative literature review analyzed peer-reviewed studies from MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Search terms incorporated MeSH headings and keywords, restricted to English language human anatomy studies (excluding animal research). Boolean operators refined the search. Data extraction focused on comparative efficacy, student experiences, and regional implementation challenges, with particular attention to Sri Lankan contexts. Results: Globally, 84.5% of students favor cadaver dissection for tactile feedback and clinical preparedness, while 64.3% report improved comprehension with virtual tools. In Sri Lanka, 89.2% of students recognize the value of 3D software but prioritize hands-on dissection despite cultural sensitivities. Virtual tools enhance accessibility, repeatability, and spatial understanding but lack tactile feedback and face adoption barriers in low-resource settings. A hybrid model emerges as the preferred strategy, balancing the strengths of both methods. Conclusions: The integration of cadaver dissection and virtual tools optimizes anatomy education, combining tactile experience with technological flexibility. While virtual tools address logistical and cultural challenges, cadaver dissection remains indispensable for surgical training. Future curricula should adopt a hybrid approach, tailored to regional needs, to ensure comprehensive anatomical education.
Alwis et al. (Wed,) studied this question.