The museum is an important part of the Department of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, and serves as a resource for educating medical students as well as professionals from clinical practice.
The museum began to take shape in 1919 when the Department of Anatomy at Masaryk University was established, with the museum being an important part of it to this day. Initially located in a former barracks on Úvoz street, the museum moved after World War II to Komenského náměstí, where it grew considerably under the direction of Professor Karel Žlábek. He and his colleagues created many new specimens, which contributed to the museum's expansion. In 1992, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth, the museum was named in his honour. In 1998 the Department of Anatomy and its collection moved to the University Campus in Bohunice, where it remains today.
The museum exhibits over 600 specimens that provide a comprehensive overview of all the systems that make up the human body, organized according to organ systems. This makes it easy for students to navigate the collections and find the necessary information for self-study and verifying acquired knowledge. The collection includes both healthy and pathological structures. Among its highlights is a replica of the skeleton of Josef Drásal, the “Moravian Giant,” who reached a height of 242 cm. In addition to the collection presenting human anatomy, the museum also houses a comparative anatomy collection.
The Department of Anatomy offers students from other universities the opportunity to explore the museum's extensive collections. Secondary school students can also enhance the knowledge required for their final exams and university entrance exams through organized excursions. The museum is generally not open to the public during the year.
