Officially established in 1343, the Università di Pisa is one of the oldest universities in Europe, with evidence suggesting its origins date back to the 11th century. After a period of decline in the 14th and 15th centuries—including a nine-year relocation to Florence—the university experienced a revival under the patronage of Cosimo I de’ Medici (1519–1574). During his leadership, a medical school was founded and an anatomical theater constructed. It was in this setting that Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), along with many other prominent anatomists, conducted dissection lectures.

This rich academic legacy laid the foundation for the Museo di Anatomia Umana in Pisa. The museum project began in 1832 when professor of anatomy Tommaso Biancini started assembling what would become the Anatomical Cabinet. The task of organizing and cataloging the collection was later taken over by Filippo Civinini (1805–1844), then chair of anatomy, for whom the museum is now named. The museum opened to the public in 1834.

By the mid-19th century, the collection had grown to over 1,000 items and expanded to include ancient Egyptian and pre-Columbian funerary objects, including mummies. Today, the museum houses more than 3,000 anatomical preparations, casts, models, illustrations, and related artifacts.

Special thanks to Professor Gianfranco Natale and the staff of Museo di Anatomia Umana for providing access to the collections and their generous hospitality.