Part count is the least useful way to choose a torso model, and the most common. A 19-part model and a 40-part model can cover the same organs; the difference is how much disassembly, reassembly and supervision the class can absorb. The BIX-A1040 is an 85 cm male torso in 19 removable pieces, and it sits at the practical end of that trade-off: enough detail to show every major system, few enough pieces to rebuild in a single session.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | BIX-A1040 |
| Type | 85 cm male human torso, 19 parts |
| Height | 85 cm |
| Material | PVC |
| Contents | Torso and head (2), brain, lungs (4), heart, trachea/oesophagus/aorta, diaphragm, stomach, duodenum with pancreas and spleen, intestines, liver, kidney and bladder (2) |
| Removable organs | Yes — 19 pieces in total |
| Price | Quoted per order |
| Certification | ISO documentation on request |
What the 19 pieces cover
The part list is a systems checklist, not a collection of curiosities:
- Nervous system: brain within the cranial cavity.
- Respiratory system: four lung pieces plus trachea.
- Cardiovascular system: heart and aorta.
- Digestive system: oesophagus, stomach, duodenum with pancreas and spleen, intestines, liver.
- Urinary system: two kidneys and bladder.
- Body wall and cavities: torso, head and diaphragm.
For a systems-based course, that is the complete set. A student can remove the lungs, trace the airway, then replace them and move to the heart without hunting for a fragment.
What 40 parts changes
A 40-part torso — the ADA-208 in the same 85 cm format is listed with 40 parts — subdivides the same regions more finely. That has three consequences.
More topographic detail. Finer subdivision lets an instructor point to a specific lobe, segment or vessel rather than a whole organ. For spotter exams and radiology correlation, that matters.
More class time per demonstration. Reassembly time scales with part count. A 19-part torso can be rebuilt by one student in a few minutes; a 40-part torso invites a group task and a checklist. If your sessions are 45 minutes, the difference is a real constraint.
More loss and breakage risk. Every extra removable piece is a piece that can be dropped, misplaced or cracked. Labs with high student turnover should weigh replacement cost, not just purchase price.
The same logic applies to model selection in general: the model should match the spatial task, not the catalogue's maximum specification [1]. Physical models do improve spatial learning over textbooks and 3D displays [2], but only if students actually handle them; a model too complex to reassemble in class gets demonstrated instead of used.
Which course needs which
| Course need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Systems overview, nursing assessment, physiology | 19-part BIX-A1040 |
| Detailed topographic anatomy, spotter exams | 40-part torso |
| High-throughput labs with limited supervision | 19-part |
| Radiology correlation and cross-section teaching | 40-part, or a dedicated cross-section model |
| Mixed cohort with limited storage | 19-part |
A department that teaches both systems and topography can buy one 40-part reference unit and several 19-part working units. That is usually cheaper than buying 40-part models for every bench.
Buying checklist
- Ask for the full part list in writing. The 19-piece breakdown should match the delivery; count on arrival.
- Confirm the material. PVC is durable and cleanable; ask for the cleaning instructions so labels survive disinfection.
- Check the stand or base. An 85 cm torso needs a stable base for two-handed organ removal.
- Request a storage tray or labelled foam. Losing a kidney is the most common failure mode in a shared lab.
- Ask for spare parts for the most-handled pieces: lungs, heart and intestines.
Where the model stops
- No vessels or nerves beyond the listed organs. Fine neurovascular detail needs a different model.
- Male anatomy only. Pelvic comparison needs a female or sexless torso.
- Not a simulator. No palpation feedback, no pathology, no procedure training.
- Painted, not dissectible. The model is for demonstration and handling, not dissection.
FAQ
Q1. Is the torso 85 cm tall? Yes. The product page specifies 85 cm and 19 parts in PVC.
Q2. What exactly is included in the 19 parts? Torso and head (2), brain, four lung pieces, heart, trachea/oesophagus/aorta, diaphragm, stomach, duodenum with pancreas and spleen, intestines, liver, two kidneys and bladder.
Q3. What is the price and minimum order? Price is quoted per order and depends on quantity and destination. Email chinonplus@adaanatomy.com for a current quotation.
Q4. Can we buy a female version? The catalogue includes female and sexless torsos in the same size range. Ask for the model list with your quotation.
Q5. How is it shipped? It ships assembled or partly disassembled in an export carton. Request carton dimensions and gross weight to plan storage.
Q6. What after-sales support is available? Warranty and spare-part terms should be confirmed with the quotation; specify the organs you expect to handle most.
References
- Sugand K, Abrahams P, Khurana A. The anatomy of anatomy: a review for its modernization. Anat Sci Educ. 2010;3(2):83-93. doi:10.1002/ase.139
- Preece D, Williams SB, Lam R, Weller R. "Let's get physical": advantages of a physical model over 3D computer models and textbooks in learning imaging anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2013;6(4):216-224. doi:10.1002/ase.1345
- Cook DA, Hatala R, Brydges R, et al. Technology-enhanced simulation for health professions education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2011;306(9):978-988. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1234
Contact
For the part list, a quotation or a photo set of the assembled torso: chinonplus@adaanatomy.com. Production follows ISO 45001 management practice; CE documentation is available for EU procurement.