Through a comprehensive course of study in Gross Anatomy, Histology, and Neuroscience, the Department of Anatomy provides 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 the osteopathic philosophy. Direct observation of human structure is the essence of the anatomy courses. In Gross Anatomy, all students participate in supervised dissection of anatomical donors supplemented by the study of anatomical models, bones, and medical images. In Histology, students apply the principles presented in lecture to the microscopic identification of normal human cells, tissues, and organs while Neuroscience is a clinically oriented course that integrates neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and physiology with clinical case presentations on neurological disorders and diseases.

The Department of Anatomy is multidisciplinary in nature and offers teaching and research elective opportunities in diverse scientific fields, including anatomy, anthropology, paleontology, physiology, neuroscience, and cell biology. The teaching elective allows CCOM students to work with faculty in small-group, donor-based anatomy education experiences. The research elective gives students the opportunity to participate in ongoing research projects. Faculty research interests include human and non-human primate anatomical variation; the effects of bio-environmental factors on cranial and post-cranial development and aging in modern and past populations; vertebrate paleontology and evolution; craniofacial developmental genetics; plasticity of the peripheral nervous system during development and adulthood; inner ear development and regeneration; myelination and demyelinating diseases; macronutrient metabolism; tissue repair; and inflammatory response.