This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (iVR) and augmented reality (AR) as teaching/learning resources for anatomy education compared to traditional approaches. The study also assesses students' perceptions of the usefulness of these technologies. A meta-analytic approach was used to investigate knowledge gains and the perceived usefulness of XR technologies. Twenty-seven experimental studies, involving 2199 health sciences students, were included. The results showed that XR technologies yielded higher knowledge gains than traditional approaches (SMD=0.40; 95% CI=0.22 to 0.60), especially when used as supplemental/complementary learning resources (SMD=0.52; 95% CI=0.40 to 0.63). XR devices were perceived to be more useful for learning anatomy than traditional methods (SMD=0.54; 95% CI=0.04 to 1), with 80% of students who used XR devices reporting them as useful. The study concludes that XR technologies are effective in enhancing anatomy knowledge and are well-received by students, particularly when used as supplements to traditional teaching methods.This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (iVR) and augmented reality (AR) as teaching/learning resources for anatomy education compared to traditional approaches. The study also assesses students' perceptions of the usefulness of these technologies. A meta-analytic approach was used to investigate knowledge gains and the perceived usefulness of XR technologies. Twenty-seven experimental studies, involving 2199 health sciences students, were included. The results showed that XR technologies yielded higher knowledge gains than traditional approaches (SMD=0.40; 95% CI=0.22 to 0.60), especially when used as supplemental/complementary learning resources (SMD=0.52; 95% CI=0.40 to 0.63). XR devices were perceived to be more useful for learning anatomy than traditional methods (SMD=0.54; 95% CI=0.04 to 1), with 80% of students who used XR devices reporting them as useful. The study concludes that XR technologies are effective in enhancing anatomy knowledge and are well-received by students, particularly when used as supplements to traditional teaching methods.