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Education Programs

The Division of Clinical Anatomy is best known at Stanford for teaching introductory anatomy to medical and physician associate students and hosting resident training lab sessions. We also host an assortment of other educational experiences, from short summer courses and programs to custom review sessions for medical professionals.

Through these programs, we provide opportunities to learn about human anatomy, medicine, and medical education to curious learners in our community. Many of our programs are open to the public, though some are designed for select audiences. Below is a list of courses categorized by learner type.

The following courses are open to medical students, as well as graduate and undergraduate students, space permitting and with instructor's permission.

Art and Anatomy: Studio Art (SURG 242)
Discusses the intersection of art and anatomy and provides the opportunity to explore one art medium in depth. Students select a medium from drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art and art appreciation, and work in small groups with a mentor artist. Class time includes art instruction, creation and feedback. May be repeated for credit. May be taken for 1-3 units; units awarded commensurate with project time. Prerequisites: SURG 203A, SURG 203B, or SURG 101.

Art and Anatomy: Portraiture and Facial Anatomy (SURG 241)(ARTSTUDI 139)
Focus is on the art of portraiture and underlying structures of the face, fundamental anatomical elements such as the skull and muscles of facial expressions, and the intersections between human anatomy and art. Studio sessions incorporate plastic models, dry bones, cadaveric specimens, and live models. Encourages use of proper anatomical terminology for describing structures and their relationships.

Art and Anatomy: Artists (SURG 243)
Blends human anatomy and artwork, and is aimed at artists who aspire to study human structure, shape, and form. Weekly lectures will highlight intersections and influences of human anatomy on art, and explore the role it has played in various forms of artwork. Students encouraged to use proper anatomical terminology to describe structures and their relationships. Weekly studio sessions provide an opportunity for students to immerse in anatomically inspired drawings. Plastic models, dry bones, cadaveric specimens, and live models will be used for the studio sessions.


Medical Etymology— (SURG 241 ,SURG 254)
A survey of medical etymology and terminology that parallels preclinical medical education. Topics focus on Greek and Latin roots and their appearances in the medical lexicon.


Individual Work—Human Anatomy (SURG 296)
Carried out under the supervision of one or more members of the staff. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

The following courses are open only to Stanford undergraduate students.

A Regional Study of Human Structure (SURG 101)
Enrollment limited to seniors and graduate students. Comprises two parts, lecture and lab, both of which are required. Lectures in regional anatomy and dissection of the human cadaver; the anatomy of the trunk and limbs through the dissection process, excluding the head and neck.

Head and Neck Anatomy (SURG 101A)
Introduces students to human anatomy of the head and neck through a dissection based course. Students use proper anatomical terminology to describe structures and their relationships. Emphasis on typical anatomy as seen in healthy individuals, with some examples of anatomical variation introduced through dissection and clinical cases. Ideal for senior undergraduate students who have completed SURG 101 or equivalent, are familiar with basic anatomy, and have some dissection experience. Prerequisites: Surgery 101 or equivalent.

Anatomy in Society (SURG 72Q)
Preference to sophomores. The influence of human anatomy on the design of commercial products and performance (such as headphone and ear bud design, automobile interior design, table music performance and handicap devices design). How societal advancements have evolved to increasingly accommodate human form and function. Guest speakers are experts in the fields of audiology, design and music. Exposure to human anatomy via cadaver material, 3D digital images, the 3D dissection table and models.

Virtual and Real: Clinical Anatomy and Sports Injuries (SURG 100)
This undergraduate course is designed to teach human anatomy through radiographs, CT scans, MRIs and cadaver material with the emphasis on the understanding of common clinical conditions and sports injuries. To aid students in developing their image interpretive skills, additional resources such as virtual interactive scans, the 3D anatomy table, and interactive digital applications will be utilized. This course divides the anatomy of the body into five areas; each area will be presented in a two-week block. In the first week of each block, students will develop an understanding of human anatomy through the identification of relevant structures on prosecutions (cadaver material), and in the second week, students will utilize this knowledge in the interpretation of radiographs, CT scans and MRIs. The anatomy will be taught in relation to common clinical conditions and sports injuries; and, student projects will focus on the understanding of the anatomy and treatment of these conditions and injuries.

International Humanitarian Surgery (SURG 150)
Open to undergraduate students. Focus is on understanding the theory behind medical humanitarianism, the growing role of surgery in international health, and the clinical skills necessary for students to partake in global medical service. Guest speakers include world-renowned physicians and public health workers. Students work in groups to complete a substantial final project on surgical program development.

Anatomy for Bioengineers (BioE 51)
Fundamental human anatomy, spanning major body systems and tissues including nerve, muscle, bone, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and renal systems. Explore intricacies of structure and function, and how various body parts come together to form a coherent and adaptable living being. Correlate clinical conditions and therapeutic interventions. Participate in lab sessions with predissected cadaveric material and hands-on learning to gain understanding of the bioengineering human application domain. Encourage anatomical thinking, defining challenges and opportunities for bioengineers. Lecture and Lab.

Stanford University Physician's Assistant (PA) Program
Custom Anatomy Course

Individualized Anatomy Tutorials
Clinical Anatomy offers individualized tutorials to students who would like hands-on guided study from an experienced anatomy teacher.

The Division of Clinical Anatomy is excited to offer tours for high school students beginning in 2023. These tours will give students an opportunity to view the Stanford anatomy labs and engage with both virtual and real anatomical specimens. To learn more or schedule a tour, please email anatomy@stanford.edu.