manikin

A manikin is a model or representation of the human body used as a teaching aid, a simulator, or a display figure. Manikins can be life-sized or smaller and may depict different ages or body types. The term is closely related to mannequin, but in practice manikin is often used for medical, educational, or design-focused models, while mannequin is more common for fashion displays.

In education and health care, medical simulation manikins are used to practice skills such as CPR, airway management, anesthesia, and trauma response. Pediatric and neonatal manikins reproduce various physiologic features and proportions to support age-appropriate training. Anatomical models are used in classrooms to illustrate organs, skeletal structures, and systems.

In design, ergonomics, and product testing, manikins serve as stand-ins for humans to assess fit, reach, range of motion, seating, or equipment usability. These models can be full-body or partial (torso, head, limbs) and may be rigid or articulated. Materials range from hard plastics and resin to flexible silicone or vinyl to simulate skin and tissue.

Aside from educational and industrial uses, manikins appear in art, museums, and advertising as display figures or props. High-fidelity simulators may incorporate electronic sensors, actuators, and computerized feedback to provide realistic immersion and assessment.