Textbooks and online diagrams can take you far, but sometimes you need to see something up close to really understand it. That’s exactly what you can do at UTA Libraries.  
 

On the second floor of the Central Library, our Anatomical Model Collection allows students to explore detailed, hands-on representations of the human body. These models are available for free checkout to all current UTA students, making it easy to take your learning beyond the page and into a more interactive experience. 
 

Turning Questions into Understanding 

It’s one thing to read that the small intestine can stretch 20 to 23 feet long; it’s another to trace its path and see how it fits within the abdomen. The same goes for understanding how the heart chambers connect, how organs relate to one another, or how the skeleton supports every movement you make. 
 

These models help bridge the gap between theory and understanding. Biology students can better visualize structure and function, while nursing and health care students can begin developing the spatial awareness and confidence they’ll rely on in clinical settings. 

Learning That Stays with You 

 
Creative Spaces and Services Librarian Chloé Bennet regularly uses the models in demonstrations with prospective health care students and has seen firsthand how impactful this kind of learning can be.  

“While students can look at 3D visualizations online, by showing them the organs they will encounter inside their patients, they are much more impacted by being in the same space as the models and practicing these skills and studying the organs,” Bennett said. “This allows them to make a fuller, more personal comprehension of the anatomy models in front of them.” 

When students practice concepts like where to place a stethoscope to hear heart and lung sounds, they’re not just memorizing; they’re connecting knowledge to real-world applications. These foundational skills are essential for providing care, conducting research, and understanding the complexity of the human body.  

Bennett notes that students can better visualize how organs relate to each other and “concretely understand exactly where they are located.” Many faculty who visit are surprised to learn that this level of hands-on resources is available right here through UTA Libraries. 
 

Support Every Step of the Way 

At UTA Libraries, resources come with people who are ready to help you use them. 

Our Community Engagement Guest Services student workers and staff at the service desks are happy to assist with checking out models, answering questions, or pointing you toward additional learning tools. Whether you arrive with a specific assignment in mind or simple curiosity, our team is here to support you. 

We believe the library is more than a place to study; it’s a place to explore, ask questions, and grow alongside a community that wants to see you succeed. 

Getting Started Is Easy 

 
To access the Anatomical Model Collection: 
 

• Visit the Second floor of the Central Library 
• Stop by the Service Desk on the first and second floors 
• Show your current student ID 
• Ask to borrow a model 

That’s it, no special permissions, no fees, just an open invitation to learn. 
 
Sometimes the best way to understand what’s inside the human body is to see it up close. We invite you to stop by, explore the collection, and discover how hands-on learning can make all the difference in your studies. 

Happy learning, we’re here when you’re ready.