Teaching Human Biology, at any level, relies not only the expertise of a tutor but also on the availability and use of good teaching aids. Until recently these have been models and diagrams, either simple or complex to demonstrate anatomical features. The use of anatomically accurate models and specimens is critically important when teaching to health professionals, especially those in the medical sciences. All teaching aids have limitations and those used for the biological sciences are without exception. Diagrams and charts can only show structures in two dimensions.
Students forever find it difficult to visualise a three dimensional structure just from a diagram.
Diagrams do not always give a good indication of size, shape, colour, weight or texture. Models, though a step up from charts and diagrams are very expensive and not always anatomically correct, also they may not show all related structures. As with diagrams, models tend to be too colourful eg. This is good to differentiate structures but it is far from being lifelike. Potted specimens allow the viewing of anatomical specimens but do not allow handling.