BIX-A1046 Guide: Teaching Thorax, Abdomen and Reproduction on One 45cm Torso

Short answer: The BIX-A1046 is a 45 cm torso model divided into 23 pieces. The set shows the trunk, a female chest cover, head, eyeball, brain, a piece of spinal nerve, two lungs, a two-part heart, liver, kidney, a two-part stomach, four intestinal pieces, male reproductive organs in two pieces and female reproductive organs with fetuses in three pieces. It is made of PVC and sits on a plastic seat.

Key takeaways

• 23 pieces — the largest part count in this 45 cm class, so sex-specific anatomy is genuinely covered
• Both male and female reproductive organs supplied as separate pieces, not as an accessory
• Female reproductive set includes fetuses, so obstetric relationships can be shown
• A piece of spinal nerve is included, linking the torso to the nervous system
• PVC construction on a plastic seat, built for repeated classroom handling
• 45 cm scale: a bench model that can be passed to students

What is in the box

Why part count is a teaching decision, not a specification

A torso with few removable parts forces students to learn regions. A torso with 23 parts forces them to learn order, adjacency and the consequences of getting it wrong. The second kind supports the questions examiners actually ask — which structures lie anterior to the kidney, what the ureter crosses, why the uterus is described in relation to bladder and rectum.

The evidence base for physical models in anatomy teaching is well established, with meta-analytic work showing measurable learning benefit [1] and controlled comparisons favouring three-dimensional physical models over two-dimensional computer presentations [2]. A randomised study in nursing students also found that managing cognitive load improves anatomy learning — which is the argument for using a 23-part model system by system rather than unpacking it all in one session [3].

The inclusion of a fetal-bearing female reproductive set adds a second discipline. The same model serves anatomy, nursing fundamentals and an introduction to obstetrics, which is unusual for a model in this size and price class.

A five-session plan for the A1046

• Session 1 — orientation. Keep all 23 pieces in place. Identify regions, planes and the diaphragm.
• Session 2 — thorax. Remove the female chest cover, lungs and two-part heart. Rebuild the airway and the route of blood through the heart.
• Session 3 — abdomen. Remove liver, stomach, kidney and the four intestinal pieces. Rebuild the foregut-to-hindgut sequence.
• Session 4 — pelvis. Remove the reproductive sets. For the female set, place the fetuses and discuss the relations of uterus, bladder and rectum.
• Session 5 — timed rebuild. Hand the separated pieces to a group and time the reconstruction. Twenty-three parts makes this a real test of spatial knowledge.

What to check before you order

• Piece inventory. Confirm the 23-piece packing list matches the groupings on the page before you run a session that depends on a specific part.
• Spares and repairs. Because the organs are removable, ask about replacement pieces for frequently handled parts.
• Labelling language. Request the label language if the model is used in an English-language programme.
• Price. This page does not publish a price; the model is quoted on request and depends on volume.

FAQ

Q1. What is the BIX-A1046?
It is a 45 cm torso model divided into 23 pieces, showing thoracic, abdominal and reproductive anatomy of both sexes.

Q2. How many pieces does it have?
Twenty-three, including two lungs, a two-part heart, liver, kidney, a two-part stomach, four intestinal pieces, male reproductive organs in two pieces and female reproductive organs with fetuses in three pieces.

Q3. Does it include both male and female organs?
Yes. Male reproductive organs and female reproductive organs with fetuses are both part of the set.

Q4. What is it made of?
PVC, placed on a plastic seat.

Q5. Which courses is it suitable for?
Anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, physical assessment, and introductory obstetrics where the fetal relationship is taught.

Q6. How do I get a price or the packing list?
Email cprwell@adaanatomy.com with the model (BIX-A1046), the quantity you are considering and your destination port; our export team will reply with pricing, lead time and the piece inventory.

Request a quotation

Email cprwell@adaanatomy.com for the BIX-A1046 price list and shipping details. If your programme needs a range of torso sizes, the same torso series includes 26 cm, 55 cm and 85 cm models, so a departmental set can be specified in a single order.

References

1. The effectiveness of physical models in teaching anatomy: a meta-analysis of comparative studies. Advances in Health Sciences Education. 2016
2. The superiority of three-dimensional physical models to two-dimensional computer presentations in anatomy learning. Medical Education. 2018
3. Anatomy teaching and cognitive load: a randomised controlled trial in nursing students. BMC Medical Education. 2026