Can you recommend me educational medical iPad apps suitable for a 10yo?

March 23, 2017 3:10 AM

My daughter has for some time been very interested in medical topics and the body, and is learning anatomical jargon the way some kids learn the names of dinosaurs. I'm sure there must be some great iPad apps to indulge her curiousity, but I'm confused by the choices. The field seems to be dominated by anatomy apps aimed at medical students on the one hand, and crappy or creepy and not very educational games aimed at small children on the other. Do you know of quality apps suitable for a 10 year old?
posted by snarfois to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

Not an app, but at that age, I loved reading the Merck Manual.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 4:06 AM on March 23, 2017 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Not for IPad but for coloring, there are several of these. And maybe this app aimed at high school students?
posted by mareli at 5:55 AM on March 23, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: You could try TinyBop's very cool The Human Body, although it's more visual, so wouldn't help with the jargon.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:30 AM on March 23, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm going to be contrary here and say that the information for medical students might be fine. So, it's technical, but if that's what she wants, it should satisfy. If she finds it frustrating, then maybe look for something less technical, but she might find it exciting and challenging instead. The Merck Manual is definitely not 'aimed' at children but it's not really inappropriate either, is it? (Unless you feel it is, in which case, she's your kid so that's your call.)
posted by epanalepsis at 7:00 AM on March 23, 2017 [5 favorites]

Yep, I agree, as a voracious reader of the Merck Veterinary Manual at that age, the medical student apps should be great and a copy of the manual as well. Even if some of it is too difficult, that's good, it'll push her to stretch herself.
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:43 AM on March 23, 2017

My little one found The Human Body app dull very fast, YMMV - it's quite cartoony. The DK Complete Human Body has been a big hit as a picture book and she goes back to it repeatedly to browse and ask questions about. I'd try the Cochrane manuals personally (a nursing guide?) before the medical as they're usually written in more accessible language but still scientifically accurate.

You can buy second-hand medical anatomy app access from university or high school students online via eBay/Amazon (and less ethical means) that gives you way cooler access to virtual cadaver dissection, videos of surgeries etc. It's all subscription-based though. They usually come with a textbook purchase or if you have a university library access, you might be able to get some trial access with help from a friendly librarian.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:51 AM on March 23, 2017

Long ago the best anatomy learning too was the Anatomy Coloring Book. Could that be available as an iPad application? I don't know, but I also wonder if it would be as good as a physical book in this case.
posted by Midnight Skulker at 10:20 AM on March 23, 2017

Figure 1 has super cool images! It's all mystery cases. Sign up with a non-professional account to view.
posted by fritillary at 5:40 PM on March 23, 2017

I would NOT recommend Figure 1 for a ten-year-old. I love it, but I simply would not. Too much nightmare fuel.
posted by fiercecupcake at 9:49 AM on March 27, 2017