Department of Anatomy

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One of the basic science departments under the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, our department teaches the three core disciplines in anatomy: gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and histology. We provide courses for most of the programs on the Glendale campus and offer our expertise and facilities for many exciting outreach events. The research of our faculty reflects the diversity of our teaching programs with members specializing in everything from anthropology to neuropathology. Please see the individual faculty pages for detailed descriptions.

Introduction

We offer courses in all three of the classic disciplines of anatomy: gross anatomy, histology, and neuroanatomy. These disciplines are taught in many different courses with emphases tailored to the needs of the different programs on campus. We also offer a selection of elective courses related to the anatomical disciplines as well as the broader interests of our faculty. See below for a complete list of courses.

Through a comprehensive course of study in gross anatomy, embryology, histology, and neuroscience, the anatomy section of the basic sciences provides thorough instruction in the morphology of the human body. The study of anatomy is particularly germane to osteopathic medicine because the relationship between structure and function is a fundamental tenet of osteopathic philosophy. Direct observation of human structure is the essence of the anatomy courses. In Gross Anatomy, all students participate in the dissection of the cadaver under the guidance of the Department of Anatomy faculty. Dissection is supplemented by the study of surface anatomy, models, osteologic specimens, radiographs, and transverse sections. The microscopic structure of cells and their organization into tissues and organs are presented in the Histology course. In the Embryology course, students study the normal pattern of human development with an emphasis on the development of specific organ systems. The Neuroscience course focuses on the sensory and motor systems and uses case studies to apply and reinforce clinical concepts.