Division of anatomy

Alfred Shryock Museum of Embryology

 The Alfred Shryock Museum of Embryology is housed in Shryock Hall and was founded by Alfred Shryock who served as chair of the division of microscopic anatomy for about 40 years beginning around 1912.

Very early in his tenure he recognized the value of a high quality collection of human fetuses and models that accurately reflected the developmental processes. He developed a network of physicians around the country who sent him well preserved aborted fetuses (from cases in which the mother's life was threatened by the pregnancy) as well as abnormally developed and nonviable fetuses. These specimens were prepared to demonstrate the progress of development especially during the first trimester. One such series was stained with alizarin red and cleared to show sites of calcium deposition in the skeleton. This was loaned to be part of the exhibits at the California Pacific Exposition in San Diego 1935-1936.

Very early he acquired a set of exquisitely prepared wax models by Friedrich Ziegler (1860-1936) of different stages of development of the human embryo as well as specific organs. These portray the earliest stages of the development of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

The division also houses a collection of air brush anatomical paintings by Joseph Mossberger done while he was a student in 1935.

An endowment, the Samuel A. Crooks Chair of Anatomy, honors another exemplary professor of anatomy who's life of simple dedication is symbolized by a chair and blue denim overalls.

Today in addition to serving as a teaching resource for students of the health professions many classes from high schools and colleges tour this facility. The Museum maintains video tapes designed to help lay people understand the processes of pregnancy and birth. Some of the malformed fetuses are known to be caused by specific drug exposures. These resources are seen as especially valuable in teaching respect for and the care of the unborn child.

Visiting the museum

The Museum of Embryology would like to inform you that it will be temporarily closed, starting on February 29, 2012, so that essential work for renovation and moving the museum to its new location can be completed. The Museum will move from Shryock Hall to the Centennial Complex and tours of the museum will be unavailable during this process. Please plan accordingly.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this essential temporary closure and we ask for your patience during the planned works. We look forward to seeing you, again, once the work is completed. Thank you in advance for your support and your patience. We anticipate that tours will resume by Fall of 2013. If you should have any questions, please call us at (909) 558-7602.

*Note: You may click the photos with borders to see a larger view.

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