In the teaching of human anatomy various authors have stated that the base knowledge of the human-body is the cadaver. Learning anatomy through manipulation of the body contributes greatly to understanding shape, location, relationship, space and distance of various organs and structures of the human body. Faculty of Medicine students of the Universidad de La Frontera in Temuco, Chile have the opportunity to work with cadavers and anatomical models in the laboratory. In order to identify the representation students have while working with both resources, we conducted a qualitative study based on the Natural Semantic Networks technique. The sample consisted of 66 medical degree students, and 40 nutrition and diet degree students. Two sessions were conducted with students of each career. During the first survey they were given a survey form with the stimulus word "Anatomy-Cadaver", and in the other session the stimulus word "Anatomy-Model". In the analysis data technique values were obtained: J, M, SAM and FMG set. For both groups of students the ability to work with the cadaver resource meant: study, body learning and knowledge; furthermore for the group of medical students the meaning of respect, science and dissection work were noted. In reference to the anatomical model resource it also meant: study, surreal, false, invariable and easier. We noted that both resources met the goal of being a tool which allows the students to study, however, with important conceptual differences of both resources.