Abstract: A system for graphically generating operative notes, the system having a processor; an input device coupled to the processor; a display device coupled to the processor; and a memory system coupled to the processor, the memory system having graphical representations of at least one of the group consisting of anatomical structures, diagnoses, and medical procedures; text descriptions corresponding to the graphical representations; and instructions executable on the processor for: displaying the graphical representations on the display device for a user to select; receiving selected graphical representations from the user; using text corresponding to the selected graphical representations to generate text for operative notes; and allowing the user to edit the generated text using the input device.