Studying a simple plastic model of the pelvis beats a fancy virtual reality experience as a way of learning about anatomy, Canadian researchers have found. 

Students who examine a plastic model of a female pelvis outperform those who study the body part using 3D virtual reality headsets, the study shows. 

Lead author Professor Bruce Wainman, director of the education program in anatomy at McMaster University, says digital anatomic simulations have been designed with the aim of supplementing, and even replacing, traditional ways of learning. 

These include dissection of cadavers, viewing illustrations, photographs and physical models of anatomy.