As our previous reviews and commentary show, the field of Radiology has benefited greatly from the growth of medical applications and tablets. It is no surprise, then, that there is little slow down in the options available for education in this image and anatomy-heavy field.

Go Anatomy’s Head, Neck, and Brain app attempts to continue the trend, and was created for medical professionals (from radiologists to students) or those interested in head and neck anatomy and neuroanatomy.

The app is for use on iPhone/iTouch and claims to be useful in increasing anatomy knowledge and understanding.

Would this be possible simply through an imaging app?

The app has a very simple premise, and the home screen exemplifies that goal. The home screen just shows 4 options for viewing images in different planes: axial, sagittal, or coronal cuts are present along with 3D and plan film images.

The images are from both CT and MRIs. All of the images presented are “normal anatomy” and the app labels landmarks in the images. But that is as far as explanations go–limiting the app’s educational utility.

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Axial images:

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Sagittal images:

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Coronal images:

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3D images:

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Plain films:

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Once downloaded, the app contains all of the content and images, which allows the user to explore the app without the need for even a wifi connection.

The app has some notable limitations and hindrances.

First of all, while the images are of good quality, the screens of the iPhone/iTouch are not optimal for viewing radiology images (although during the review, using the iPhone in landscape mode did notably enhance the images and text). The developers claim that this app can help “increase understanding” is limited by the lack of pathology and explanations.

There is currently only one solitary review on iTunes, which posits the app as a 5-star product, which the app is far from–either as a radiology or anatomy app.

Price:

  • $1.99 currently from the Appstore

Likes:

  • Simple radiology app with many quality images of normal anatomy segments

Dislikes:

  • No pathology presented
  • No explanations, tips that would help increase understanding/learning of radiology

Conclusion:

  • An image-heavy application that contains purely normal-anatomy images
  • The educational value is therefore limited, as it does not provide explanations or radiological appearance of pathological states.