A Bibliometric Overview of Postgraduate (Doctoral and Specialist) Anatomy Theses Emerged from Medical Faculties in Turkey

Objective: This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of postgraduate (doctoral and specialist) anatomy theses conducted in Türkiye, with the aim of elucidating research trends, methodological orientations, and institutional contributions across a 54-year period. Materials and Methods: A total of 753 anatomy theses submitted between 1969 and 2023 were retrieved from the Council of Higher Education National Thesis Center. Following the exclusion of incomplete records, 670 theses were systematically examined. Each thesis abstract was coded into predefined categories covering types of anatomy, research materials, and methodological approaches. Quantitative analyses were performed using frequency distributions and co-occurrence mapping, while interactive visualisations were generated to illustrate the institutional and temporal patterns. Results: Radiological data, experimental animals, and human cadavers emerged as the most frequently utilized materials, with notable institutional variations – cadaver-based studies predominated at Ankara, Istanbul, and Ege Universities, while radiological approaches were most common at Hacettepe University. Morphometric analysis was identified as the leading methodological approach, whereas dissection and histopathological techniques retained significant relevance in certain institutions. Gross anatomy was the most frequently studied domain, followed by clinical and experimental anatomy. A marked increase in thesis production was observed after the mid-1990s, with doctoral dissertations substantially outnumbering specialist theses, reflecting the growing institutionalization and diversification of postgraduate anatomy education in Türkiye. Conclusion: The findings highlight both the persistence of traditional cadaver-based approaches and the progressive integration of radiological, experimental, and interdisciplinary methodologies in anatomical research. These results underscore the evolving priorities of medical faculties and provide strategic insights for future curriculum design, research planning, and national policy development in postgraduate anatomy education.