The collections are housed in the Old Anatomical Theatre – built especially for the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Tartu. As early as 1890 a museum of quality preparations and original models was set up for the purpose of teaching anatomy. 
 

Today the visitor can see preparations of the human body, get an insight into the inside of the body as well as an overview of the changes in the organism brought about by accidents, disease and violence.

On display there are various tumours, parasites, cardiac defects and macro preparations that have been objects of forensic investigation. All in all, the exhibition contains nearly 2,000 items – anatomical and pathological wet and dry preparations and charts.

The pharmacology laboratory from the 1970s enables the visitor to evaluate the development of science and technology. There is a properly equipped X-ray room.

The aim of exhibiting the objects is to enable all the interested visitors to get an insight into the inside of their bodies, to help with a better understanding of the interconnections between nature and the human body, to propagate healthy ways of living and to acquaint the general public with the major achievements of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Tartu

The biggest collection on display is that of pathology whose principal exhibits are macro-preparations or conserved wet preparations in glass jars.

The most famous exhibits are professor A. Rauber´s original preparations from the study museum of anatomy preserved in the tumult of wars. In addition, there are original museum preparations from the starting time of the museum such as the mummified preparations of the lower limb, the pelvic cavity blood vessels, nerves and muscles, the head and the upper limb and the vertebral column.

The bulky embryology collection is unique, and one can see a selection of the collection of preparations of the Children’s Clinic of the University of Tartu.