Guidelines related to who can view, prosect, and dissect human cadavers:
The following definitions and specified regulations provide guidance related to who is allowed (or disallowed) to view, prosect, or dissect human cadavers according to the Texas State Anatomical Board (SAB). These guidelines are meant to provide a framework for approved anatomical spaces and willed body programs in the State of Texas. Individual programs may choose to be more restrictive in their permissions based on their activities, facilities, and staff resources.
Educational and research activities involving SAB human cadavers must be conducted in a facility approved by the Texas State Anatomical Board and in compliance with all state regulations as defined by sections 692.001a and 692.002a and the Texas Administration Code, Title 25, Part 4.
General Definitions
1. Anatomy Laboratory Tour: a guided walking tour through a gross anatomy laboratory space.
2. Anatomical Specimen: any part of a human cadaver.
3. Prosection: a whole or partial human body cadaver that has been previously dissected and is used for observational, hands-on study, review and teaching/learning purposes.
4. Dissection: a whole or partial human body cadaver that is being actively dissected by the user for hands-on study and teaching/learning purposes.
Requirements by Age
1. Individuals under 18 years of age are considered minors and may not legally have access to or view a whole human body cadaver. Informed parental/guardian consent is required for participation in anatomy laboratory tours or viewing anatomical specimens. Middle and high school students, regardless of the age when entering the lab, are considered minors.
2. Individuals over 18 years of age are considered adults and may interact with human body cadavers as described in the sections listed below.
Regulations for Specific Student Groups, Clinicians, and other Visitors
1. Middle and High School students: with written parental/guardian consent are allowed to participate in:
- Anatomy Laboratory Tours
- Anatomical specimen observation
2. Undergraduate Students – General Academics: students that are enrolled in any undergraduate program, including associate degree programs, are considered adults and, after signing a release of liability, are allowed to participate in:
- Anatomy Laboratory Tours
- Anatomical specimen observation
3. Undergraduate Students – Health Related Programs: students that are enrolled in an undergraduate health related field of study (e.g., pre-PT; pre-OT; pre-PA; pre-medical; pre-dental; pre-chiropractic; physical therapist assistant; occupational therapist assistant; athletic training; exercise sport science/kinesiology) are considered adults, and, after signing a release of liability, are allowed to participate in:
- Anatomy Laboratory Tours
- Anatomical specimen observation
- Prosection learning activities
Course Specific activities involving human cadavers must be part of a recognized health related degree program or course. The instructor must provide a written request to the Willed Body Program Director detailing the specific requirements of the course by providing:
- Course syllabus
- Justification for the use of human body cadavers or anatomical specimens
Depending on the nature of the request, the Willed Body Program Director may request guidance from the SAB on whether to approve the request. The decision of the Willed Body Program Director is considered final.
4. Graduate Students – Health Related Programs: students that are enrolled in graduate health related field of study (e.g., a program beyond the bachelor’s degree level; including graduate programs such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic, physician assistant, rehabilitation science, audiology; also included are mortuary science students according to state regulations Health and Safety Code 691 and Texas Administrative Code 479.1) after signing a release of liability, are allowed to participate in:
- Anatomy Laboratory Tours
- Anatomical specimen observation
- Prosection learning activities
- Active dissection activities
5. Healthcare Clinicians: licensed or certified clinicians from health-related fields, after signing a release of liability, are allowed to participate in:
- Anatomy Laboratory Tours
- Anatomical specimen observation
- Prosection learning activities
- Active dissection activities
6. Other Adult Visitors: access to other adult visitors who would like access to the anatomy laboratory, must gain approval from the Anatomy Lab Director or Willed Body Program Director. Approval will be given on a case by case basis. In general, visiting adults are allowed to participate in:
- Anatomy Laboratory Tours
- Anatomical specimen observation