Patient Education Illustrations

These patient education illustrations by freelance medical illustrator and anatomy professor Susan Decker are designed to support clear communication between healthcare professionals and patients. Each medical illustration simplifies complex anatomy, medical procedures, and health conditions to enhance understanding and improve patient education outcomes. Designed to support:

  • Patient education – helping patients visualize anatomy, diagnoses, and treatment options
  • Clinical communication – providing healthcare providers with visual aids to explain medical procedures and care plans
  • Health literacy – improving patient understanding through accurate, accessible anatomical illustrations

Examples include visuals of surgical procedures, orthopedic conditions, and common medical treatments—each crafted to make healthcare information more approachable and easier to understand. Click on each image to view the full illustration.

Facial, Foot & Oral Anatomy for Patient Education

Botox Injection Sites

Foot Anatomy & Biomechanics

Gum Diseases

- About These Illustrations -
  • Facial Muscles – Botox Injection Sites – Illustration of the facial muscles with common Botox injection sites, including the forehead, glabella, crow’s feet, and jawline, designed for patient education and understanding cosmetic and therapeutic procedures.
  • Foot Bones – Biomechanics & Function – Patient education illustration showing foot bones and their positions during running and exercise, highlighting biomechanics and anatomical function to help patients understand movement and foot health.
  • Gum Disease – Healthy to Periodontitis – Medical illustration comparing healthy gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis, showing the progression of gum disease for patient education and oral health awareness.

Anatomical Planes, Salivary Glands & Orthopedic Illustrations

Anatomical Planes

Salivary Glands & Ducts

Shoulder & Orthopedic Exercises

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Anatomical Planes – Sagittal, Coronal & Transverse – Medical education illustration showing the human body’s sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes, ideal for anatomy reference, teaching, and patient education.

Major Salivary Glands – Facial Anatomy – Medical illustration labeling the major salivary glands in relation to facial anatomy, designed for patient education and understanding head and neck structures.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation – Back & Shoulder Movements – Educational illustration demonstrating physical therapy movements that support back and shoulder rehabilitation, helping patients understand exercises and proper anatomical function.

Endoscopy for Peptic Ulcer

Early Childhood Stress

Abdominal Regions

Cardiovascular, Dermatology & Breast Anatomy

American Heart Association

Melanoma on Ear & Toe

Breast Tissue Anatomy

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  • Heart & Blood Vessels – Cardiovascular Anatomy – Patient education medical illustration from the American Heart Association showing the heart and blood vessels, highlighting cardiovascular anatomy and promoting heart health awareness.
  • Melanoma – Ear & Toe – Patient education medical illustration of melanoma affecting the ear and toe, demonstrating skin cancer appearance, progression, and key areas for patient awareness and education.
  • Breast Anatomy – Tissue & Structures – Patient education medical illustration showing breast tissue, including glands, ducts, and surrounding structures, designed to enhance understanding of breast anatomy and support patient education.

Thyroid, Infectious Disease & Foot Anatomy

Thyroid Gland

Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Common Foot Conditions

- About These Illustrations -
  • Thyroid Gland – Anatomy & Location – Patient education medical illustration showing the thyroid gland in the throat, highlighting thyroid anatomy and structure to enhance understanding of endocrine health and gland function.
  • Congenital Toxoplasmosis – Pregnancy Risk – Patient education medical illustration showing congenital toxoplasmosis infection caused by exposure to cat waste during pregnancy, designed to educate patients on infection risk, prevention, and maternal-fetal health.
  • Foot Conditions – Morton’s Neuroma, Plantar Fasciitis & Stress Fractures – Patient education illustration showing common foot conditions, including Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures, helping patients understand foot anatomy, causes of pain, and injury prevention.