The graduate human anatomy lab located in Room 201 in the McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall allows health sciences students to explore the human body through hands-on learning.
Undergraduate students take their human anatomy lab class in Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Rooms 369 and 371.
These labs are where textbook knowledge turns into real-life discoveries.
Learning anatomy through cadaver dissection
Unlike traditional classrooms, the Cadaver Lab allows direct engagement with human anatomy.
“For over 400 years, hands-on dissection has been the gold standard for learning anatomy. Seeing, touching and manipulating human bodies provide an unparalleled opportunity no lecture or computer model can replicate,” said Dr. Patrick Brooks, assistant professor in the School of Health Sciences.
Every session in the lab reminds students of the responsibility that comes with a career in health care.
“Mistakes happen; it’s part of learning,” said Nicole Gorley, senior instructor in the School of Health Sciences.
She encourages students to take charge of dissections, helping them build confidence with every step.
Honoring human donors
Students learn that working with cadavers is more than an educational experience — it is a privilege requiring respect and responsibility. The generosity of human donors allows future health professionals to put lessons into practice from the classroom.
“These individuals chose to donate their bodies for science,” said Claire Sextro, a physician assistant studies graduate student. “Their last wish was to help us learn. We don’t take that lightly.”
Missouri State upholds strict ethical guidelines to honor each donor. Photography and video recordings are prohibited inside the labs. A cadaver’s face and external genitalia remain covered until it is necessary for study.
Washington University in St. Louis supplies the cadavers through a donation program. A properly preserved cadaver can be used for 12-18 months.
Since graduate-level dissections are intensive, it requires new cadavers each semester. Once dissections are completed, cadavers are respectfully returned to St. Louis for cremation.
“I didn’t realize how much hands-on dissection would enhance my learning,” said Zoe Davis, a physician assistant studies graduate student. “Seeing real human structures brought lectures to life — it just clicked.”
Gateway to medical practice
The Cadaver Lab serves as a training ground for students in physician assistant studies, physical therapy, nursing, biomedical sciences and occupational therapy programs.
“Anatomy education requires highly skilled faculty, yet there’s a national shortage of experts in cadaveric dissection,” said Brooks. “Students overwhelmingly prefer cadaveric dissection over other teaching methods for learning advanced human anatomy.”
Brooks’ publication, “The Status of Cadaver-Based Anatomy Instruction in Missouri Medical Schools,” underscores the vital role of cadaveric dissection in medical education.
Beyond technical training, hands-on cadaver dissection builds confidence and enhances decision-making. It also strengthens problem-solving skills and lays a strong foundation for clinical rotations.
The graduate lab accommodates around 54 students. It is equipped with anatomical models, plastinated structures, preserved organs and digital resources like 3D anatomy tools and imaging technology.
These resources help students enhance their hands-on dissection experience with various study methods for a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy.