Associate Professor Stephanie Woodley

Contact Details
- Phone
- +64 3 479 7353
- stephanie.woodley@otago.ac.nz
- Position
- Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department (Teaching)
- Department
- Department of Anatomy
- Qualifications
- BPhty MSc PhD(Otago)
- Research summary
- Clinical and functional anatomy, anatomical sciences education
- Teaching
- Anatomy for physiotherapy and science students
- Health professional workshops
- Supervision of PhD, masters’ and honours research students
- Memberships
- Editor, New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy
- Grey's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Section Editor, Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb (42nd and 43rd editions)
- Council member, Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA)
- Managing Trustee, Otago Southland Physiotherapy Trust
- Clinical
- Physiotherapy
Research
My research is within the field of clinical anatomy, with my main area of interest being musculoskeletal anatomy, particularly of the hip, pelvic and hamstring regions. I have a professional background in physiotherapy, and endeavour to produce applied research that is relevant to clinical practice. Much of my work is focused on exploring the morphology and function of musculoskeletal structures, using a combination of traditional (anatomical) approaches such as dissection, histology and immunohistochemistry as well as modern imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.
Publications
Woodley, S. J., Moller, B., Clark, A. R., Bussey, M. D., Sangelaji, B., Perry, M., & Kruger, J. (2023). Digital technologies for women’s pelvic floor muscle training to manage urinary incontinence across their life course: Scoping review. JMIR mHealth & uHealth, 11, e44929. doi: 10.2196/44929
De La Paz, J. S., Buckley, H. R., Halcrow, S. E., Techataweewan, N., & Woodley, S. J. (2023). Architecture of head and neck soft tissues and associated entheses: An exploration of sexual dimorphism in, and population differences between, New Zealand and Thai individuals. Journal of Anatomy, 243, 110-127. doi: 10.1111/joa.13853
Rostron, Z. P. J., Zacharias, A., Semciw, A. I., Kingsley, M., Pizzari, T., Woodley, S. J., & Green, R. (2023). Comparison between a targeted exercise program and a sham intervention on gluteal muscle activity in people with hip osteoarthritis: Analysis of secondary outcomes from a randomised clinical trial. Gait & Posture, 100, 33-40. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.11.016
Woodley, S. J., Green, R. A., & Webb, A. L. (2023). A core musculoskeletal anatomy syllabus for undergraduate physical therapy student education. Clinical Anatomy, 36(2), 190-223. doi: 10.1002/ca.23953
De La Paz, J. S., Buckley, H. R., Halcrow, S. E., & Woodley, S. J. (2022). A review of the anatomy of soft tissues associated with sexually dimorphic landmarks on the cranium. Anatomy, 16(2), 93-107. doi: 10.2399/ana.22.1142432
Woodley, S. J. (Ed.). (2021). Gray's anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice: Section 9: Pelvic girdle and lower limb (42nd ed.). Elsevier, 134p. [Section Editor].
Edited Book - Research
Apaydin, N., & Woodley, S. J. (2021). Pelvic girdle and lower limb: Overview and surface anatomy. In S. Standring (Ed.), Gray's anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice. (42nd ed.) (pp. 1333-1351). Elsevier. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Timmins, R., Woodley, S., Shield, A., & Opar, D. (2020). Anatomy of the hamstrings. In K. Thorborg, D. Opar & A. Shield (Eds.), Prevention and rehabilitation of hamstring injuries. (pp. 1-30). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-31638-9_1
Chapter in Book - Research
Nicholson, H., Woodley, S., & Flack, N. (2016). Gluteal muscles and lateral rotators of the hip. In R. S. Tubbs, M. M. Shoja & M. Loukas (Eds.), Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. (pp. 386-409). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
De La Paz, J. S., Buckley, H. R., Halcrow, S. E., Techataweewan, N., & Woodley, S. J. (2023). Architecture of head and neck soft tissues and associated entheses: An exploration of sexual dimorphism in, and population differences between, New Zealand and Thai individuals. Journal of Anatomy, 243, 110-127. doi: 10.1111/joa.13853
Journal - Research Article
Rostron, Z. P. J., Zacharias, A., Semciw, A. I., Kingsley, M., Pizzari, T., Woodley, S. J., & Green, R. (2023). Comparison between a targeted exercise program and a sham intervention on gluteal muscle activity in people with hip osteoarthritis: Analysis of secondary outcomes from a randomised clinical trial. Gait & Posture, 100, 33-40. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.11.016
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Green, R. A., & Webb, A. L. (2023). A core musculoskeletal anatomy syllabus for undergraduate physical therapy student education. Clinical Anatomy, 36(2), 190-223. doi: 10.1002/ca.23953
Journal - Research Article
Aldabe, D., Lawrenson, P., Sullivan, S. J., Hyland, G., Bussey, M., Hammer, N., Bryant, K., & Woodley, S. (2022). Management of women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: An international Delphi study. Physiotherapy, 115, 66-84. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2021.09.002
Journal - Research Article
Flack, N. A. M. S., Frost, K., Aravazhi, S., Macmillan, A., Blyth, P., Woodley, S. J., Nicholson, H. D., Hurren, B. J., & Bird, R. J. (2022). "Thank you for your sacrifice, I will try to make sure your donation wasn't in vain": Undergraduate science students' perceptions on the use of cadaveric material in learning anatomy. Education Sciences, 12, 451. doi: 10.3390/educsci12070451
Journal - Research Article
Kennedy, M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2022). The morphology of the subacromial and related shoulder bursae: An anatomical and histological study. Journal of Anatomy, 240(5), 941-958. doi: 10.1111/joa.13603
Journal - Research Article
Perumal, V., Woodley, S. J., Nicholson, H. D., Brick, M. J., & Bacon, C. J. (2022). Ligamentum teres lesions are associated with poorer patient outcomes in a large primary hip arthroscopy cohort of 1,935 patients. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, 4(4), e1363-e1372. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2022.04.024
Journal - Research Article
Rostron, Z. P. J., Zacharias, A., Semciw, A. I., Kingsley, M., Pizzari, T., Woodley, S. J., & Green, R. (2022). Effects of a targeted resistance intervention compared to a sham intervention on gluteal muscle hypertrophy, fatty infiltration and strength in people with hip osteoarthritis: Analysis of secondary outcomes from a randomised clinical trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23, 944. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05907-4
Journal - Research Article
Waller, C. P., Sangelaji, B., Hargest, C., Woodley, S. J., Lamb, P., Kuys, S., Calder, A., & Hale, L. A. (2022). Biomechanics of the paretic knee during overground gait in people with stroke: A systematic review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 27(4), 304-312. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2022.2090088
Journal - Research Article
Flack, N. A. M. S., Depledge, J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Stringer, M. D., Gray, A. R., & Woodley, S. J. (2020). A self-report questionnaire for pregnancy-related symphyseal pain. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 48, 102151. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102151
Journal - Research Article
French, H. P., Woodley, S. J., Fearon, A., O'Connor, L., & Grimaldi, A. (2020). Physiotherapy management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS): An international survey of current physiotherapy practice. Physiotherapy, 109, 111-120. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2019.05.002
Journal - Research Article
Pather, N., Blyth, P., Chapman, J. A., Dayal, M. R., Flack, N. A. M. S., Fogg, Q. A., … Woodley, S. J., & Lazarus, M. D. (2020). Forced disruption of anatomy education in Australia and New Zealand: An acute response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Anatomical Sciences Education, 13, 284-297. doi: 10.1002/ase.1968
Journal - Research Article
Perumal, V., Scholze, M., Hammer, N., Woodley, S., & Nicholson, H. (2020). Load-deformation properties of the ligament of the head of femur in situ. Clinical Anatomy, 33, 705-713. doi: 10.1002/ca.23492
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Lawrenson, P., Boyle, R., Cody, J. D., Mørkved, S., Kernohan, A., & Hay-Smith, E. J. C. (2020). Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, CD007471. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007471.pub4
Journal - Research Article
French, H. P., Grimaldi, A., Woodley, S., O'Connor, L., & Fearon, A. (2019). An international survey of current physiotherapy practice in diagnosis and knowledge translation of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 43, 122-126. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.06.002
Journal - Research Article
Perumal, V., Techataweewan, N., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2019). Clinical anatomy of the ligament of the head of femur. Clinical Anatomy, 32, 90-98. doi: 10.1002/ca.23299
Journal - Research Article
Perumal, V., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2019). Neurovascular structures of the ligament of the head of femur. Journal of Anatomy, 234, 778-786. doi: 10.1111/joa.12979
Journal - Research Article
Stephens, G., O'Neill, S., French, H. P., Fearon, A., Grimaldi, A., O'Connor, L., Woodley, S., & Littlewood, C. (2019). A survey of physiotherapy practice (2018) in the United Kingdom for patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 40, 10-20. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.01.004
Journal - Research Article
Webb, A. L., Green, R. A., & Woodley, S. J. (2019). The development of a core syllabus for teaching musculoskeletal anatomy of the vertebral column and limbs to medical students. Clinical Anatomy, 32, 974-1007. doi: 10.1002/ca.23319
Journal - Research Article
Hedderwick, M., Stringer, M. D., McRedmond, L., Meikle, G. R., & Woodley, S. J. (2017). The oblique popliteal ligament: An anatomic and MRI investigation. Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy, 39(9), 1017-1027. doi: 10.1007/s00276-017-1838-7
Journal - Research Article
Lube, J., Flack, N. A. M. S., Cotofana, S., Özkurtul, O., Woodley, S. J., Zachow, S., & Hammer, N. (2017). Pelvic and lower extremity physiological cross-sectional areas: An MRI study of the living young and comparison to published research literature. Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy, 39(8), 849-857. doi: 10.1007/s00276-016-1807-6
Journal - Research Article
Perumal, V., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2017). The morphology and morphometry of the fovea capitis femoris. Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy, 39(7), 791-798. doi: 10.1007/s00276-016-1810-y
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Boyle, R., Cody, J. D., Mørkved, S., & Hay-Smith, E. J. C. (2017). Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12, CD007471. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007471.pub3
Journal - Research Article
Miller, A., Woodley, S. J., & Cornwall, J. (2016). Fibre type composition of female longus capitis and longus colli muscles. Anatomical Science International, 91(2), 163-168. doi: 10.1007/s12565-015-0280-3
Journal - Research Article
Perumal, V., Woodley, S. J., & Nicholson, H. D. (2016). Ligament of the head of femur: A comprehensive review of its anatomy, embryology, and potential function. Clinical Anatomy, 29(2), 247-255. doi: 10.1002/ca.22660
Journal - Research Article
Storey, R. N., Meikle, G. R., Stringer, M. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2016). Proximal hamstring morphology and morphometry in men: An anatomic and MRI investigation. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 26(12), 1480-1489. doi: 10.1111/sms.12625
Journal - Research Article
Tosovic, D., Muirhead, J. C., Brown, J. M. M., & Woodley, S. J. (2016). Anatomy of the long head of biceps femoris: An ultrasound study. Clinical Anatomy, 29(6), 738-745. doi: 10.1002/ca.22718
Journal - Research Article
Arumugam, A., Milosavljevic, S., Woodley, S., & Sole, G. (2015). Effects of external pelvic compression on isokinetic strength of the thigh muscles in sportsmen with and without hamstring injuries. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 18(3), 283-288. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2014.05.009
Journal - Research Article
Arumugam, A., Milosavljevic, S., Woodley, S., & Sole, G. (2015). Effects of external pelvic compression on electromyographic activity of the hamstring muscles during unipedal stance in sportsmen with and without hamstring injuries. Manual Therapy, 20(3), 412-419. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.10.011
Journal - Research Article
Arumugam, A., Milosavljevic, S., Woodley, S., & Sole, G. (2015). The effect of a pelvic compression belt on functional hamstring muscle activity in sportsmen with and without previous hamstring injury. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 10(3), 291-302.
Journal - Research Article
Flack, N. A. M. S., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Stringer, M. D., Gray, A. R., & Woodley, S. J. (2015). Adherence, tolerance and effectiveness of two different pelvic support belts as a treatment for pregnancy-related symphyseal pain: A pilot randomized trial. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 15, 36. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0468-5
Journal - Research Article
Fletcher, J. G. R., Stringer, M. D., Briggs, C. A., Davies, T. M., & Woodley, S. J. (2015). CT morphometry of adult thoracic intervertebral discs. European Spine Journal, 24(10), 2321-2329. doi: 10.1007/s00586-015-3925-y
Journal - Research Article
Becker, I., Stringer, M. D., Jeffery, R., & Woodley, S. J. (2014). Sonographic anatomy of the pubic symphysis in healthy nulliparous women. Clinical Anatomy, 27(7), 1058-1067. doi: 10.1002/ca.22423
Journal - Research Article
Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2014). The anatomy of the hip abductor muscles. Clinical Anatomy, 27(2), 241-253. doi: 10.1002/ca.22248
Journal - Research Article
Arumugam, A., Milosavljevic, S., Woodley, S., & Sole, G. (2012). Can application of a pelvic belt change injured hamstring muscle activity? Medical Hypotheses, 78(2), 277-282. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.10.045
Journal - Research Article
Arumugam, A., Milosavljevic, S., Woodley, S., & Sole, G. (2012). Effects of external pelvic compression on form closure, force closure, and neuromotor control of the lumbopelvic spine: A systematic review. Manual Therapy, 17(4), 275-284. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.01.010
Journal - Research Article
Arumugam, A., Milosavljevic, S., Woodley, S., & Sole, G. (2012). Evaluation of changes in pelvic belt tension during 2 weight-bearing functional tasks. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, 35(5), 390-395. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.04.019
Journal - Research Article
Davis, J. A., Stringer, M. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2012). New insights into the proximal tendons of adductor longus, adductor brevis and gracilis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(12), 871-876. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2011-090044
Journal - Research Article
Flack, N. A. M. S., Meikle, G. R., Reddy, M., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2012). Hip abductor muscle volume in women with lateral hip pain: A case-controlled study. Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy, 34(9), 847-855. doi: 10.1007/s00276-012-0970-7
Journal - Research Article
Flack, N. A. M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2012). A review of the anatomy of the hip abductor muscles, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fascia lata. Clinical Anatomy, 25(6), 697-708. doi: 10.1002/ca.22004
Journal - Research Article
Storey, R. N., Stringer, M. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2012). Site of acute hamstring strains and activities associated with injury: A systematic review. New Zealand Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(2), 36-42.
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Latimer, C. P., Meikle, G. R., & Stringer, M. D. (2012). Articularis genus: An anatomic and MRI study in cadavers. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Am), 94(1), 59-67. doi: 10.2106/jbjs.k.00157
Journal - Research Article
Becker, I., Baxter, G. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2010). The vastus lateralis muscle: An anatomical investigation. Clinical Anatomy, 23, 575-585. doi: 10.1002/ca.20974
Journal - Research Article
Becker, I., Woodley, S. J., & Stringer, M. D. (2010). The adult human pubic symphysis: A systematic review. Journal of Anatomy, 217, 475-487. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01300.x
Journal - Research Article
Becker, I., Woodley, S. J., & Baxter, G. D. (2009). Gross morphology of the vastus lateralis muscle: An anatomical review. Clinical Anatomy, 22(4), 436-450. doi: 10.1002/ca.20792
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Mercer, S. R., & Nicholson, H. D. (2008). Morphology of the bursae associated with the greater trochanter of the femur. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Am), 90(2), 284-294. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.G.00257
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Nicholson, H. D., Livingstone, V., Doyle, T. C., Meikle, G. R., Macintosh, J. E., & Mercer, S. R. (2008). Lateral hip pain: Findings from magnetic resonance imaging and clinical examination. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 38(6), 313-328. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2008.2685
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Duxson, M. J., & Mercer, S. R. (2007). Preliminary observations on the microarchitecture of the human abdominal muscles. Clinical Anatomy, 20, 808-813.
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., & Mercer, S. R. (2005). Hamstring muscles: Architecture and innervation. Cells Tissues Organs, 179, 125-141.
Journal - Research Article
Kennedy, E., Cullen, B., Abbott, J. H., Woodley, S., & Mercer, S. R. (2004). Palpation of the iliolumbar ligament. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 32(2), 76-79.
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., & Mercer, S. R. (2004). Hamstring strains - where do they occur? New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 32(1), 22-28.
Journal - Research Article
Woodley, S. J., Moller, B., Clark, A. R., Bussey, M. D., Sangelaji, B., Perry, M., & Kruger, J. (2023). Digital technologies for women’s pelvic floor muscle training to manage urinary incontinence across their life course: Scoping review. JMIR mHealth & uHealth, 11, e44929. doi: 10.2196/44929
Journal - Research Other
De La Paz, J. S., Buckley, H. R., Halcrow, S. E., & Woodley, S. J. (2022). A review of the anatomy of soft tissues associated with sexually dimorphic landmarks on the cranium. Anatomy, 16(2), 93-107. doi: 10.2399/ana.22.1142432
Journal - Research Other
Waller, C., Sangelaji, B., Lamb, P., Kuys, S., & Woodley, S. J. (2021). Biomechanical differences at the hemiparetic knee in people with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Physical Therapy Reviews, 26(1), 25-33. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2021.1880037
Journal - Research Other
Woodley, S. J., & Hay-Smith, E. J. C. (2021). Narrative review of pelvic floor muscle training for childbearing women: Why, when, what, and how. International Urogynecology Journal, 32, 1977-1988. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04804-z
Journal - Research Other
Woodley, S. (2020). Communication: An essential tool in extraordinary times. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 48(1), 5-6. doi: 10.15619/NZJP/48.1
Journal - Research Other
Aldabe, D., Hammer, N., Flack, N. A. M. S., & Woodley, S. (2019). A systematic review of the morphology and function of the sacrotuberous ligament. Clinical Anatomy, 32(3), 396-407. doi: 10.1002/ca.23328
Journal - Research Other
Bussey, M. D., Aldabe, D., Ribeiro, D. C., Madil, S., Woodley, S., & Hammer, N. (2019). Is pelvic floor dysfunction associated with development of transient low back pain during prolonged standing? A protocol. Clinical Medicine Insights: Women's Health, 12. doi: 10.1177/1179562X19849603
Journal - Research Other
Semciw, A. I., Pizzari, T., Woodley, S., Zacharias, A., Kingsley, M., & Green, R. A. (2018). Targeted gluteal exercise versus sham exercise on self-reported physical function for people with hip osteoarthritis (the GHOst trial: Gluteal exercise for Hip Osteoarthritis): A protocol for a randomised clinical trial. Trials, 19, 511. doi: 10.1186/s13063-018-2873-3
Journal - Research Other
Kennedy, M. S., Nicholson, H. D., & Woodley, S. J. (2017). Clinical anatomy of the subacromial and related shoulder bursae: A review of the literature. Clinical Anatomy, 30(2), 213-226. doi: 10.1002/ca.22823
Journal - Research Other
Schache, A. G., Woodley, S. J., Schilders, E., Orchard, J. W., & Crossley, K. M. (2017). Anatomical and morphological characteristics may explain why groin pain is more common in male than female athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(7), 554-555. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096945
Journal - Research Other
Woodley, S. J., & Storey, R. N. (2013). Review of hamstring anatomy [Targeted Topic]. Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal, 2(TT), 432-437.
Journal - Research Other
Woodley, S., & Mercer, S. (2006). Anatomy in practice: the Popliteus muscle. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 34(1), 25-29.
Journal - Research Other
Woodley, S. J., Kennedy, E., & Mercer, S. R. (2005). Anatomy in practice: The sacrotuberous ligament. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 33(3), 91-94.
Journal - Research Other