Radiological and pathological imaging constitute an essential part of modern medicine. Furthermore, by showing microscopic and radiological images many pathological processes can be made clearer and easier to understand. This has consequences for education. Many medical faculties are switching partly or entirely to the use of 'virtual microscopy', which amounts to studying digitalised histological preparations with the help of software that shows striking similarities to Google Earth. The requesting physician of the future will be able to make the most effective use of radiological tests when he or she has been trained in 'radiological thinking'. Students must realise that radiology depends not just on looking, as one might at holiday snaps, but more especially on interpreting what is seen. By using modern aids, it is possible to test the listeners' knowledge during lectures as a basis for the rest of the presentation. Collections of educational images are now widely available, including on the Internet.