Whether you are new to the study of human anatomy, or are looking to brush up on your skills, the Health Sciences Library (HSL) has got you covered. In addition to books and journals, we have anatomical models, virtual reality (VR) experiences, online learning tools, and more!

Here are a few of our most recent additions, along with some of our longstanding favorites—available online or for check-out at HSL. 

Anatomical Models

Visit the HSL Service Desk (5th floor, Philips-Wangensteen Building) to find our collection of anatomical models.  This collection includes male and female skeletons, as well as heart, lung, kidney, eye, and arm models, to name a few. Here are a some of our latest additions: 

• A human dual-sex torso model with dark skin tone and 24 parts (including male and female organs) for anatomical study and demonstration. This hand-painted model provides a 3D overview of anatomy and can be a tactical accompaniment to other learning tools.
• A hyper realistic human heart model based on 3D scans of real human anatomy, thanks to a partnership with the Visible Heart® Laboratories.
• An internal hand structure model that comes in 3-parts. This life-size hand model comes with muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and arteries.

You can also print 3D anatomical models in the HSL Makerspace (5th Floor HSEC). New to 3D printing? No problem. Our Makerspace staff have the expertise to help you get started. No prior knowledge required.   

Virtual reality for anatomy—including NEW anatomy headsets

Primal VR is a fully immersive, interactive, and engaging virtual environment for teaching and learning human anatomy as you zoom, rotate, scale, and explore 360 degree views. Primal VR is available for use at the HSL Virtual Reality Studio (5th floor HSEC). 

NEW to HSL are our VR Anatomy Headsets that have Primal VR installed and ready for check-out and use. Just ask for the “anatomy headsets” at the HSL Service Desk (5th floor, PWB). 

Online learning tools

We also provide a broad range of online learning tools to help you ace anatomy and engage in learning through multiple modalities. Here are a few highlights. 

• Draw It To Know It Anatomy & Physiology does just that—allowing users to draw physical characteristics of the human body to reinforce learning.
• Atlas of Human Cardiac Anatomy (NEW) from the Visible Heart® Laboratories. This resource provides hundreds of videos and still images from the inside and outside of the heart from a broad representation of health histories.
• Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy is perfect for those who learn best through video lessons. Unique to this resource is its use of unembalmed human specimens.
• Anatomy.tv has been expanded to include real-time Embryology (14 interactive 3D models and showcases vibrant, structural changes across weeks 3-8 of development), and Physiopedia (videos, 3D visuals, and real world and clinical correlations tailored for physical therapy).

Primary sources

Primary sources from the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine (WHL) contain incredibly detailed anatomical illustrations from works that span 5 centuries. The collection includes first (1543), second (1555), and student (1543) editions of Andreas Vesalius’ De humani corporis fabrica libri septem. There are fewer than 20 copies of the student edition remaining in the world. 

Anatomical texts in the WHL speak to research, discovery, and shifting practices in anatomy over time, from macroscopic views to microscopic studies, highlighting the ways that anatomical research responds to broad cultural questions and specific scientific investigation. These texts, in addition to thousands more from around the world, form an excellent resource to which the UMN community has unique access. 

Visitors are welcome to use collection materials for research or just for simple curiosity. Meet with a curator to get started.