The tasks of the University Library System towards the accomplishment of the functions and objectives enlisted in the University of Nairobi Act 1985, to carry out basic functions of acquiring, organizing and disseminating information in support of the University mission. More specifically it is to provide reading, reference, research materials and other library services to the students, academic staff, non-academic staff and to a limited number of qualified outsiders.

The department teaches over 700 students in 8 undergraduate and 9 postgraduate programs. It has, despite enormous challenges, retained the traditional dissection mode of instruction and blended it with 'newer teaching methods. The department is focused on transformative research themes from animal and fossil-based to patients, autopsy, and cadaver material and restored active publication in applied anatomy and diverse clinical fields.