UCSF: Fresh Cadaver Dissection Lower Extremity & Lower Trunk / Pelvis
Program Description
This two-day intensive continuing education course provides movement and manual therapy professionals with a structured, immersive opportunity to explore the gross anatomy of the lower extremity, lower trunk, and pelvis through fresh cadaveric dissection. Participants engage in guided dissection at assigned stations under faculty supervision, supplemented by didactic orientation sessions, clinical correlation discussions, and group review.
The laboratory setting prioritizes three-dimensional fascial anatomical understanding, spatial relationships between structures, tissue quality differentiation, and direct palpatory calibration. Clinical relevance is woven
throughout each module, with emphasis on structures commonly encountered in musculoskeletal practice, surgical access, and interventional procedures.
Global Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify and distinguish key osseous, ligamentous, muscular, neurovascular, and fascial structures of the lower extremity and pelvic region on fresh cadaveric specimens
• Describe the three-dimensional spatial relationships between anatomical structures and correlate findings to clinical palpation, imaging planes, and functional movement
• Recognize normal anatomical variation and distinguish tissue quality differences (fat, fascia, muscle, nerve, vessel) by direct handling
• Apply anatomical knowledge to clinical contexts including injury mechanisms, manual therapy access points, dry needling landmarks, surgical corridors, and diagnostic reasoning
• Articulate the functional and clinical significance of key structures including fascial compartments, neurovascular bundles, joint capsules, and myotendinous junctions.
Faculty & Staff Roles
• Carla Stecco MD
• Christopher DaPrato DPT
• Alison Scheid DPT
Date: August 6-7, 2026
Time: 8a-5p Each Day
Location: UC San Francisco
By completing this order, you are expressing your interest in attending the program. This is NOT the course registration. You will be sent the registration link as soon as it is available.