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Human dissection was first recorded at Oxford in the 14th century, and the first school of Anatomy founded in the Bodleian library between 1613 and 1619. Across that long history, we have taught medical students, junior doctors, experienced surgeons, and clinicians as well as being responsible for research into the anatomical aspects of disease.

See further information into the rich history of Anatomy at Oxford.

Today, we have an excellent reputation for supporting and delivering courses to students within the Medical Sciences Division. To help create an engaging and exciting learning environment for the students, we deliver sessions using the following methods:

  • Highly trained academic and technical staff
  • Prosections
  • Skeletal material
  • Anatomical models
  • Museum collection made up of normal and pathological specimens
  • Imaging
  • Living anatomy

Any queries, please contact us on: anatomy@dpag.ox.ac.uk,

Team

Rumyana Smilevska – Clinical Anatomist

Sharmila Rajendran – Clinical Anatomist

Samuel Snowdon – Anatomy Teaching Prosector

Ryan Green – Technical Manager

Beatriz Martinez-Trillo – Teaching Technician

Jeanne Gardner – Bequests Secretary

Amber Foley – Prosector

Kiara Delos Santos – Teaching Technician (Anatomy and Physiology)

Anatomy Suite

We are fortunate to have a state-of-the-art facility in the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre which has been open for 15 years. Within it we have a modern laboratory - the Anatomy Suite – and is where cadavers can be examined. We have a wide variety of specimens, both cadaveric and other, for students to study, and break-out rooms for lectures and tutorials. Every year we teach around 180 undergraduate medical students and 30 graduate entry students who will train to be our future doctors, and around 30 surgical trainees who are preparing for the membership of the Royal College of Surgeons Examinations, the first step in becoming an autonomous surgeon. Over the years we have welcomed students, doctors, and other health professionals from around the world and we pride ourselves on the quality of teaching that we offer.

If you are interested in booking out our Anatomy Suite for teaching, research or courses related to medicine and other health professions, please complete our DPAG Anatomy Suite Booking Enquiry Form.

Body Donation

The ability of medical students, junior doctors, and other allied health professionals to study the human body as part of their education, as part of research, and for the advancement of medical and dental science or therapy, constitutes an invaluable part of medical education. Each year Oxford needs a number of donated cadavers for this purpose. Cadavers are stored and examined in a state-of-the-art Anatomy Suite regulated by the Human Tissue Authority. Private donation is the source of the University of Oxford Medical School’s supply of cadavers, without which we would not be able to train our students, scientists, and medical professionals to the highest standard.

We always maintain the upmost respect and highest level of care for our donors, in accordance with The Anatomy Act (1984) and the Human Tissue Act (2004).

Who can donate?

Any person of sound mind who is over 18 years of age can register to donate his/her body after death for education, research, and the advancement of medical and dental science or therapy. It is advisable for anyone considering donation to discuss this with family and/or executors. There is no upper age limit for those who wish to donate.

Donations are usually made to the medical school nearest the donor. Oxford normally accepts from donors living in postcodes OX, RG, SN. Prospective donors living outside this area will be redirected to the Bequest Office at their nearest medical school.

How can someone donate?

In accordance with the regulations of the Human Tissue Authority, a person may arrange for the donation of his/her remains by completing a University of Oxford Bequest Consent Form. The Consent Form is part of our Bequest Booklet; it also gives more information about the bequeathal process. To be valid, the Consent Form must be signed by the donor and witnessed. One copy of the form is then sent to the Oxford Bequest Office, the other copy remains with the donors. Consent can be withdrawn at any time by notifying our program in writing of your change of intention. UK law prohibits payment for a body donation.

A physical Bequest Booklet can be requested by contacting:

The Bequest Secretary
Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics
Sherrington Building
Parks Road
Oxford OX1 3PT
bequests@dpag.ox.ac.uk

The Bequest Booklet is available in a wide variety of languages including Braille, please email the Bequest Secretary for further details.

We thank you for your interest in this invaluable gift to medical education and research.