Anatomy Lab

From early February through early May, groups of 20 to 25 students from area high schools participate in a hands-on anatomy experience in NIU's cadaver laboratory. After a brief orientation, students rotate through four instructional stations in small groups throughout the morning.

Stations include:

• Prosected cadaver study
• Organ study
• Bone study
• Anatomical model study

Each station lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes, with a short break scheduled midway through the session. NIU faculty members and Human Anatomical Sciences graduate students guide students through the cadaver stations, demonstrating key anatomical structures and answering questions.

Students receive a list of anatomical structures to identify during the course and are responsible for mastering the material as they move through each station.

Session Details

Most groups complete all four stations by 12:15 p.m. Lunch and review time continue until 1:30 p.m., when the laboratory practical examination is prepared.

The practical exam evaluates students' understanding of the material covered during the course. Developed by NIU faculty, the exam includes 25 stations with two questions per station, for a total of 50 questions. High school teachers may weight the exam scores as part of a student's final grade.

The day begins with orientation at 8:45 a.m., followed by instruction at 9 a.m. All activities, including the practical examination, conclude by 3 p.m.

Participant Testimonials

Thank you for allowing us to come to your school and use your cadavers. We appreciate the opportunity and the support from your staff throughout the experience. Having access to two bodies made the learning process smoother and more meaningful. We hope to continue participating in the program in the future.

Thank you for allowing us to use your lab to further our education in anatomy and apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to real-world study.

Thank you for giving our school such a unique opportunity. Working with prosected bodies while completing dissections gave us an incredible hands-on learning experience. My group studied the chest and brachial plexus region, and we learned so much throughout the weekend.