Introduction.

The teaching of human anatomy has made use of various strategies in medical training. Faced with the emergence of new teaching methods, we propose a system of illustrations based on color codes that highlight and simplify the relationship between structure and function. Likewise, we compare its effectiveness against other traditional systems.

Subjects and methods.

We carried out an experimental study in undergraduate medical students, randomly assigned into three groups that received theoretical and practical classes, and text material for learning selected topics of upper limb anatomy. The ‘control’ group received no additional material, the ‘traditional’ group received highly realistic and colored illustrations, and the ‘colors’ group received illustrations that made use of color keys for the relationship between structure and function. The students were evaluated theoretically through an ad-hoc evaluation, and subjected to a practical evaluation, through the recognition of cadaveric structures. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviation.

Results.

82 students participated in the study, divided into three groups. There were no differences regarding age and sex. The theoretical evaluation scores were higher in the middle tertile of the students in the ‘colors’ group: 57.8% (5.8%) compared to the ‘traditional’ group: 43.5% (3.9%). There were no significant differences in the practical evaluation.

Conclusion.

The use of color codes in illustrations was more effective in a subgroup of students when it was compared to other types of material (highly realistic illustrations) for learning anatomy.

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