Report on the 9th All-Russian Congress of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists, and Embryologists of Russia (May 28–30, 2025, Orenburg)

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On May 28–30, 2025, the 9th All-Russian Congress of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists, and Embryologists (SMS AHE) of Russia with international participation, titled Fundamental and Applied Morphology in the 21st Century, was held at Orenburg State Medical University (OrSMU).

It was especially symbolic that this important event took place in the year marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, for which many of our teachers and mentors in morphology devoted their efforts and lives.

The congress was dedicated to the 95th anniversary of an Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Professor Ilia I. Kagan (OrSMU), and the 100th anniversary of Academician Mikhail R. Sapin (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences), also an Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation. This major scientific event brought together more than 700 in-person participants, including morphologists, faculty members, postgraduate students, medical students, and physicians from more than 60 cities across Russia, as well as from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Germany, Malaysia, and other neighboring and distant countries. For the first time, delegates from the newly integrated territories—the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics—also took part in the Congress. Over three days, five public lectures and about 200 oral presentations were delivered, and more than 700 scientific abstracts were submitted for publication, reflecting the results of the work of morphologists.

Even before the official opening of the Congress, on May 27, 2025, arriving participants were able to attend a pre-congress course, School of the Young Morphology Teacher, covering three morphological disciplines, listen to public lectures by Prof. Ilia I. Kagan and Prof. Ivan V. Gaivoronsky, an Honored Science Worker of the Russian Federation, and visit the morphology departments of OrSMU.

On May 28, 2025, the solemn opening ceremony of the 9th All-Russian Congress was held at the Orenburg Regional Philharmonic Hall, conducted by the President of SMS AHE of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitriy B. Nikityuk, an Honored Science Worker of the Russian Federation. He emphasized that the origins of Russian morphology were closely associated with the founder of the Orenburg scientific school of clinical anatomy and experimental surgery, Sergey S. Mikhailov, whose worthy successor was Ilia I. Kagan. It was Prof. Ilia I. Kagan who organized the first Congress of this type in 1982. Dmitrily B. Nikityuk read numerous greetings addressed to the participants and organizers of the Congress, received from the Russian scientific community, government authorities, public organizations, federal executive bodies, and the Russian Academy of Sciences. He also conveyed best wishes for successful and fruitful work at this significant scientific event. In his address, Dmitriy V. Kulagin, Vice Governor, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Government, and Head of the Office of the Governor and Government of the Orenburg Region, recalled the difficult history of Orenburg Medical University and emphasized the importance of studying morphological disciplines in the training of every physician. Irina A. Aleshina, Head of the Department for Adult Health Care Organization of the Ministry of Health of the Orenburg Region, underscored the necessity of linking science and clinical practice, highlighting the role of morphology as a fundamental component of medical education. Alexey A. Pakhomov, Minister of Education of the Orenburg Region, drew attention to the importance of the work of morphology educators with school students. Warm greetings to the participants were also extended by Prof. Igor V. Miroshnichenko, Rector of OrSMU, and Academician Gennady T. Sukhikh, Director of the Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov.

In his summary report, Academician Dmitriy B. Nikityuk presented an analysis of the current activities of the SMS AHE of Russia, highlighted the scientific achievements of all 64 regional branches, discussed issues of international cooperation, publishing, organizational, and educational activities, and outlined both short- and long-term prospects for the development of the Society. At the subsequent plenary session, Prof. Svetlana V. Klochkova delivered a presentation on the life, scientific, and teaching career of her mentor, Academician Mikhail R. Sapin, and Prof. Sergey N. Liashchenko spoke about his teacher, Prof. Ilia I. Kagan, working at the Department of Operative Surgery and Clinical Anatomy named after S.S. Mikhailov. At the second plenary session, Prof. Ilia I. Kagan presented a report on the scientific and organizational development of the Orenburg scientific school of clinical anatomy and experimental surgery. A group photograph of the Congress participants was taken (Fig. 1).

On May 29, 2025, plenary and sectional meetings were held in the lecture halls of OrSMU and the Orenburg Regional Universal Scientific Library named after N.K. Krupskaya. The plenary session, The Multidimensional Nature of Morphological Sciences: History and Developmental Perspectives, covered a wide range of reports addressing various aspects of morphology.

Following the plenary session, several sectional meetings were held. The section Issues of Variant Anatomy featured 16 presentations, whereas the section Experimental Morphology, Environmental and Regenerative Medicine included 17 presentations. In addition, the sections Current Issues of Veterinary Morphology and Issues of Experimental Surgery were successfully conducted. The issues related to the history and teaching of morphologic disciplines were the subject of lively discussion at two sessions, with a total of 20 speakers. On the same day, sessions were also devoted to experimental morphology, endoscopic anatomy, morphogenesis, cell and tissue regeneration, and other current topics. The second day of the Congress also included the Young Scientist Competition and a poster session.

 

Fig. 1. Collective photo of participants of the 9th All-Russian Congress of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists, and Embryologists of Russia (May 28–30, 2025, Orenburg).

 

On May 30, 2025, the third day of the Congress began with the plenary session Scientific Session and Summation of the Congress. The session was chaired by Academician Dmitry B. Nikityuk, President of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists, and Embryologists of Russia. After three plenary lectures on diverse topics, the President of the Society summarized the results of the Congress, presided over the election of the governing bodies of the SMS AHE, and presented for discussion the personal composition of the Board and Presidium of the Society for the next five-year term (2025–2030), which was approved by open vote.

COMPOSITION OF THE PRESIDIUM AND THE BOARD OF THE SCIENTIFIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF ANATOMISTS, HISTOLOGISTS, AND EMBRYOLOGISTS OF RUSSIA FOR 2025–2030

Presidium of the SMS AHE of Russia

Management team:

1. D.B. Nikityuk (Moscow), President
2. S.S. Dydykin (Moscow), Vice President
3. I.A. Odintsova (St. Petersburg), Vice President
4. R.M. Khairullin (St. Petersburg), Vice President
5. N.T. Alekseeva (Voronezh), Scientific Secretary, Treasurer
6. D.V. Bazhenov (Tver), Honorary Vice President
7. A.A. Stadnikov (Orenburg), Honorary Vice President

Members of the Presidium of the SMS AHE of Russia:

1. V.V. Banin (Moscow)
2. I.N. Bogolepova (Moscow)
3. V.Sh. Vagapova (Ufa)
4. L.V. Vikhareva (Tyumen)
5. A.A. Vorobyev (Volgograd)
6. Z.A. Vorontsova (Voronezh)
7. I.V. Gaivoronsky (St. Petersburg)
8. L.M. Zheleznov (Kirov)
9. I.I. Kagan (Orenburg)
10. E.S. Kafarov (Grozny
11. S.V. Klochkova (Moscow)
12. V.I. Kozlov (Moscow)
13. A.V. Kolsanov (Samara)
14. S.L. Kuznetsov (Moscow)
15. D.N. Liashchenko (Orenburg)
16. S.N. Liashchenko (Orenburg)
17. V.V. Luzin (Luhansk)
18. I.V. Milto (Tomsk)
19. V.N. Nikolenko (Moscow)
20. A.V. Pavlov (Yaroslavl)
21. G.S. Solovyev (Tyumen)
22. I.P. Stepanova (Smolensk)
23. N.F. Fomin (St. Petersburg)
24. L.A. Udochkhina (Astrakhan)
25. V.L Yanin (Khanty-Mansiysk)

Board of the SMS AHE of Russia

1. Kh.A. Abduvosidov (Moscow)
2. A.L. Akopov (St. Petersburg)
3. A.G. Alekseev (Moscow)
4. E.A. Alekseeva (Ulan-Ude)
5. O.Yu. Aleshkina (Saratov)
6. D.A. Atyakshin (Moscow)
7. S.E. Baibakov (Krasnodar)
8. I.A. Balandina (Perm)
9. V.P. Balashov (Saransk)
10. M.B. Bolgucheva (Magas)
11. T.G. Borovaya (Moscow)
12. G.N. Borodina (Barnaul)
13. E.N. Borkhunova (Moscow)
14. G.V. Bryukhin (Chelyabinsk)
15. I.A. Bulankina (Irkutsk)
16. Yu.L. Vasiliev (Moscow)
17. A.A. Vedernikov (Yoshkar-Ola)
18. D.K. Garmaeva (Yakutsk)
19. V.A. Glotov (Smolensk)
20. A.V. Gorbunov (Tambov)
21. S.T. Guseinova (Makhachkala)
22. R.V. Deev (Moscow)
23. M.V. Eldyreva (Cheboksary)
24. P.A. Elyasin (Novosibirsk)
25. L.M. Erofeeva (Moscow)
26. E.Yu. Zhivotova (Khabarovsk)
27. I.V. Zadnipryany (Simferopol)
28. S.F. Zinchuk (Kemerovo)
29. A.V. Ivanov (Kursk)
30. V.A. Ivanov (St. Petersburg)
31. V.A. Izranov (Kaliningrad)
32. S.A. Kalashnikova (Volgograd)
33. O.V. Kalmin (Penza)
34. M.Yu. Kapitonova (Volgograd)
35. V.A. Karanasheva (Nalchik)
36. A.P. Kiyasov (Kazan)
37. A.A. Korobkeev (Stavropol)
38. E.N. Krikun (Moscow region)
39. G.S. Lazutina (Ryazan)
40. A.V. Lyubin (Chita)
41. I.I. Markov (Samara)
42. N.N. Medvedeva (Krasnoyarsk)
43. L.M. Merkulova (Cheboksary)
44. L.I. Naumova (Astrakhan)
45. M.A. Negasheva (Moscow)
46. A.V. Pavlov (Ryazan)
47. I.G. Pashkova (Petrozavodsk)
48. N.G. Plekhova (Vladivostok)
49. V.V. Prokofyev (Pskov)
50. L.G. Proshina (Veliky Novgorod)
51. I.N. Putalova (Omsk)
52. D.Yu. Rybalko (Ufa)
53. V.V. Semchenko (Omsk)
54. E.V. Slesareva (Ulyanovsk)
55. G.A. Spirina (Yekaterinburg)
56. D.A. Starchik (St. Petersburg)
57. I.G. Stelnikova (Nizhny Novgorod)
58. V.V. Stolyarov (Surgut)
59. T.I. Subbotina (Tula)
60. S.G. Sukhanov (Arkhangelsk)
61. A.V. Tverskoy (Belgorod)
62. O.N. Totoeva (Vladikavkaz)
63. N.N. Shevlyuk (Orenburg)
64. S.E. Shemyakov (Moscow)
65. V.G. Shestakova (Tver)
66. V.V. Shishkina (Voronezh)
67. M.B. Uzdenov (Cherkessk)
68. M.A. Khalilov (Orel)
69. V.V. Kharchenko (Kursk)
70. E.V. Chaplygina (Rostov)
71. S.N. Chemidronov (Samara)
72. N.V. Chernenko (Ivanovo)
73. V.M. Chuchkov (Izhevsk)
74. N.N. Chuchkova (Izhevsk)
75. A.A. Yakimov (Yekaterinburg)

RESOLUTION OF THE CONGRESS

An important concluding event of the Congress was the discussion and adoption of the following resolution:

On May 28–30, 2025, in the city of Orenburg, the 9th Congress of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists and Embryologists of Russia (SMS AHE) was held, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of an Honored Science Worker of the Russian Federation Prof. Ilia I. Kagan and the 100th anniversary of Academician Mikhail R. Sapin, Honored Science Worker of the Russian Federation. The event was attended by many specialists in morphology, physiology, and hygiene, as well as representatives of related specialties and clinicians—leading scientists, educators, and young researchers from all regions of the Russian Federation, including the newly integrated territories (Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics), as well as from friendly foreign countries (Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and others).

Having heard all the presentations included in the intensive scientific program, which covered a wide range of issues of fundamental and applied morphology and highlighted innovative approaches to teaching anatomy, histology, embryology, and topographic anatomy, the Congress emphasized that academic departments should devote particular attention to collaboration with clinical units and to the translation of morphological knowledge into surgical, therapeutic, and pediatric practice. Within the framework of the Congress, plenary sessions, thematic sections, master classes, round tables, and discussions were held, all aimed at strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and improving educational methodologies.

The Congress adopted the following decisions:

1. To recognize the 9th Congress of the Scientific Medical Society of Anatomists, Histologists and Embryologists of Russia (SMS AHE) as a significant event in the scientific and educational life of the country, contributing to the advancement of morphological sciences and the strengthening of professional ties. To note the high scientific, educational, and organizational significance of the 9th Congress as a key platform for the exchange of experience, presentation of scientific achievements, and consolidation of the professional community of morphologists in various fields.
2. To approve the activities of the Board, Presidium, specialized commissions, regional branches of the SMS AHE of Russia, and the professional community for the period 2019–2024. To support and endorse the initiative of the Board and Presidium of the SMS AHE of Russia to expand regional representation (18 new branches were established and became active between 2019 and 2025), thus encompassing all territories with basic medical, other specialized higher education institutions, and classical universities.
3. To support the initiative of the Board and Presidium of the SMS AHE of Russia to include regional branches from the CIS countries as associate members of the Society.
4. To emphasize the importance of integrating the new regions of Russia into the unified scientific and educational environment of morphological departments nationwide and into the SMS AHE of Russia. To note the active participation of specialists and young scientists from the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, which represents an important step in developing scientific cooperation and strengthening the common scientific space of morphology.
5. To highlight the importance of developing unified educational standards in anatomy, histology, embryology, and topographic anatomy, taking into account current trends in digitalization, interdisciplinary approaches, emerging diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and new professional requirements. To recommend strengthening methodological coordination in teaching morphological disciplines, including the use of digital technologies and simulation platforms.
6. To emphasize the significance of morphological research as the basis for clinical diagnostics and novel therapeutic approaches. To promote the active integration of morphological data into the practice of surgery, internal medicine, precision medicine, and translational research.
7. To foster international cooperation and strengthen ties with morphological societies of the CIS countries and other friendly states, including through joint conferences, publications, and academic exchanges.
8. To support the initiative of expanding collaboration between specialized departments of medical, biological, and other higher education institutions, research institutes, and clinical health care. To encourage the scaling up of advanced educational technologies, including distance learning, in the teaching processes of all medical and specialized universities in the Russian Federation.
9. To support the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in morphological research, including automated morphometry, digital analysis of histological specimens, and education using AI platforms. To recommend further advancement of digital and simulation technologies in teaching morphological disciplines, broadening access to interactive educational resources, and intensifying the work of morphological departments in creating and implementing new intellectual property.
10. To promote the creation of a transformative framework Education–Science–Clinic and the development of a unified methodological platform for morphological departments of medical universities to enable the exchange of teaching and methodological materials and to improve the quality of specialist training.
11. To support the further development of fetal anatomy as a critical area of modern morphology that provides the foundation for early diagnosis and intrauterine treatment of the fetus and congenital malformations. To devote particular attention to interdisciplinary collaboration of morphologists with neonatologists, pediatricians, obstetricians, and geneticists in the study of fetal development and pathology.
12. To promote the mandatory use in the educational process of TERMINOLOGIA ANATOMICA, TERMINOLOGIA NEUROANATOMICA, TERMINOLOGIA OROANATOMICA, AND TERMINOLOGIA EMBRYOLOGICA.
13. To prepare and submit, on behalf of the SMS AHE of Russia, an appeal to the local self-government bodies of the subjects of the Russian Federation with a proposal to assist, at the request of regional branches of the SMS AHE of Russia, in preserving historical monuments and other cultural heritage associated with morphologists of significance to the history of the country.
14. To deem it necessary to hold the next 10th Congress of the SMS AHE of Russia in 2030.
15. To express gratitude to the Administration of the Orenburg Region, Rector of Orenburg State Medical University Prof. Igor V. Miroshnichenko, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), all organizers of the 9th Congress for enabling its successful holding, the high level of preparation, the scientific content of the program, and the favorable atmosphere for professional communication.
16. To publish information about the Congress and its resolutions in the journals Morphological Newsletter, Journal of Anatomy and Histopathology, and Morphology, and on the official website of the SMS AHE of Russia. To inform the professional community by presenting relevant materials, including the resolution of the Congress, in the international information bulletin Plexus.

The Congress expressed confidence that the adopted resolutions would contribute to the further development of morphological sciences in Russia, the strengthening of the professional community, and the enhancement of the role of morphology in the system of medical education and scientific research.

The resolution was adopted by open vote at the closing plenary session on May 30, 2025.

By decision of the Presidium, members of the SMS AHE of Russia, participants, organizers, and sponsors of the 9th Congress were commended for their active participation in the work of the Society and were presented with letters and certificates of appreciation in recognition of: their significant contribution to the advancement of morphological science, the preservation and transmission of traditions, and the training of new academic staff; their outstanding role and organizational efforts in the Congress; their work in organizing, supporting, and developing the SMS AHE of Russia; as well as other categories. In addition, the winners of the Young Scientist Competition were announced.

CONCLUSION

The Congress proved to be an important and influential platform for the exchange of pedagogical, scientific, and innovative experience among morphologists and physicians from Russia and abroad. Within the framework of the Congress, new directions for the development of the SMS AHE of Russia and morphological sciences in modern conditions were outlined, joint scientific projects and initiatives were discussed, and opportunities for promoting advanced morphological research in clinical practice and medical education were considered. Such intensive exchange of experience and perspectives was extremely valuable for all participants. The significant international resonance of the event will foster the development of scientific cooperation and the integration of advanced morphological research into health care practice and medical education.

ADDITIONAL INFO

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the writing of this Report.

Funding sources: This report was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Disclosure of interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Data availability: The editorial policy regarding data sharing is not applicable to this work, as no new data was collected or generated.

Generative artificial intelligence: No generative artificial intelligence technologies were used in the creation of this article.

Review and peer review: This work was prepared at the request of the journal's editorial board and was reviewed on an expedited basis without external peer reviewers.

About the authors

Svetlana V. Klochkova

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia

Email: swetlana.chava@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2041-7607
SPIN-code: 1528-6250

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Moscow

Sergey N. Liashchenko

Orenburg state medical university of the Ministry of Health

Email: serglyashenko@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6467-2242
SPIN-code: 1778-4276

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Orenburg

Nataliya T. Alekseeva

Voronezh State Medical University

Email: alexeevant@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1510-8543
SPIN-code: 4846-3772

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Voronezh

Diana N. Liashchenko

Orenburg state medical university of the Ministry of Health

Author for correspondence.
Email: lyaschenkod@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9288-1551
SPIN-code: 7077-2908

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Orenburg

Elena V. Blinova

Orenburg state medical university of the Ministry of Health

Email: blinova.elenavlad@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-5589-8232
SPIN-code: 3884-1142

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Orenburg

Lyudmila O. Shalikova

Orenburg state medical university of the Ministry of Health

Email: L.o.shalikova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6389-6639
SPIN-code: 8102-8440

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Orenburg

Andrey S. Lozinskiy

Orenburg state medical university of the Ministry of Health

Email: a-lozinskiy@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-6319-9870
SPIN-code: 2269-4400

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor

Russian Federation, Orenburg

References

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