The Los Medanos College Library recently began a trial for four new online resources from Visible Body. 

According to Visible Body’s website, “Visible Body makes learning and teaching anatomy and physiology visual and engaging. We invent apps that advance the way students learn and healthcare professionals practice.”

The new resources available to all students are: Anatomy and Physiology, Human Anatomy Atlas 2020, Muscle Premium 2018 and Physiology Animations. 

“This trial was initiated by our biology department, but I can see its usefulness across a variety of academic departments,” as stated by the Electronic Resources Librarian Kim Wentworth in her email detailing the availability and trial of the new resources.

Anatomy and Physiology teaches the topics anatomy and physiology through 3D model sets, 3D animations, and illustrations. The 12 units covered include: “cells and tissues, integumentary, skeleton and joints, muscle types, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive,” wrote Wentworth. 

The Human Anatomy Atlas 2020 covers the complete male and female anatomy visible to the naked eye with 3D models that, “ […] span 11 systems: nervous, skeletal, circulatory, muscular, digestive, urinary, lymphatic, endocrine, and reproductive,” wrote Wentworth.

Muscle Premium 2018 is a broad reference of musculoskeletal structures and functions. It also covers common injuries and conditions. Physiology Animations are 3D animations that teach core physiology and common conditions. All of the resources give students access to zoom-in features, 360 degree control of the 3D animations and models, and the ability to make notes while working on the models. 

According to the Visible Body website, “[their] inspiration comes from the dynamic world of 3D games and mobile devices. Our compelling, interactive, and highly accurate visualizations launch anatomy education far beyond written text, flat images and plastic models.”

During this trial period, the students will also have access to the mobile version of Visible Body which is available on the Google Play Store and the Apple iTunes Store. To access the mobile app for Visible Body, follow the instructions at http://www1.visiblebody.com/mobile_orgs/#en

All of these resources are available in multiple languages including; English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. To access the resources go to http://losmedanos.libguides.com/selectdatabase, choose the “Science and Math” database option and then scroll to the bottom of the page. 

The Visible Body resources are available both off campus and on campus, but access to the resources will expire May 22. 

“If students and faculty want access to Visible Body beyond this semester, I will try to secure funding to pay for it,” wrote Wentworth.

For more information about Visible Body or if students would like to voice their appreciation for these resources, contact Kim Wentworth at [email protected].

If you are interested in keeping these resources in the library database permanently, please contact Kim Wentworth at the email above, prior to May 22.