Short history of Anatomy in Turku
1640-1965
The Chair of Anatomy in Turku was established in 1640. After the Great Fire of Turku in 1827, the University was moved to Helsinki. The University of Turku and the Department of Anatomy was re-established in 1955.
Teaching and research in the new Department run by Professor Esko Näätänen (1956-1965) sounds now traditional being mainly based on two term-long cadaver dissections. Main methods of research were histological with the focus on the effects of stress on internal, especially endocrine, organs.
The role of dissections became gradually decreased and partly replased by training with the aid of radiograms, ultrasound, palpation of living body and measurement of the strength and mobility of the locomotor system. Also anatomy became integrated into the Trainee Period of doctors work in health centers. Research from histology and microscopic anatomy oriented into cell biology. Practicals in histology were included in the teaching curriculum.
1965-1996
During the period of Professor Mikko Niemi (1965-1996) the focus of research was in male reproduction biology. Topics varied from embryonic and pubertal development of male genitalia, testicles and sperm, in particular. Research on the secondary sex organs, mainly prostate, brought hormone-dependent cancer growth as a new discipline.
In 1985 the first sperm bank in Finland was established at the Department. Sperm cells and the chemistry of sperm plasma membrane had already been studied at the Department in 1960's. Main part of the clinical sperm services was moved in 1996 to the Turku University Hospital.
The Department of Anatomy today
At present the Department of Anatomy has five professors, three lecturers, six assistants, eight technicians and two secretarians. The old Department (1 000 m2 ) at Kiinamyllynkatu was restorated in 1987 and is equipped with modern cell and molecular biology facilities.
When the Department of Medical Physics and Engineering became integrated into the Department of Anatomy in 2006, microscopic research methods and development of technical innovations in cell and molecular biology research have opened new educational and scientific avenues in the field of Anatomy in Turku.