Active Users:896 Time:22/11/2024 02:02:18 AM
This week, I disarticulated a cadaver's head from its body Spriteling Send a noteboard - 14/04/2017 02:54:52 PM

We didn't completely remove her head; the viscera of her neck (fascia, larynx, esophagus, etc) were still intact. In essence, we created a Nearly Headless Nick (or Nicolette, if you will, since our cadaver is a female).

It was pretty disturbing. You have to cut out large chunks of the skull, chisel through the articulations of the first two cervical vertebrae, and use a scalpel to cut through a lot of muscle and fascia. And I couldn't help but thinking, "When this woman donated her body, did she know how many gruesome things we'd be doing to it?"

We've removed an entire leg. We've cracked her rib cage, pulled out all her internal organs and cut them open. We've hemisected her pelvis. We'll be hemisecting her jaw and face next. And yet, without being able to do all those things, we'd lack much of the knowledge that becomes important as a physician. Virtual dissections only do so much. Knowledge of anatomy is essential in basically all fields of medicine.

After every anatomy lab, I come away with even more gratitude to the 84 year old woman who was selfless enough to make the decision to donate her body to medical students.

Reply to message
This week, I disarticulated a cadaver's head from its body - 14/04/2017 02:54:52 PM 853 Views
Well this certainly provided a series of lovely images to go with my second cup of coffee... - 14/04/2017 03:00:52 PM 576 Views
Oh, I have so many more - 14/04/2017 03:04:38 PM 580 Views
I don't think I'd spit out a drink, unless it was like tomato juice or something. - 14/04/2017 03:09:44 PM 529 Views
Well, that one is harder with stories - 14/04/2017 03:20:49 PM 650 Views
- 14/04/2017 03:24:11 PM 561 Views
Are you sure? - 14/04/2017 03:25:15 PM 585 Views
Do it! I want to see the first-ever RAFO appearance of... - 14/04/2017 03:52:44 PM 625 Views
that was funny - 14/04/2017 03:57:57 PM 568 Views
Fo shizzle. *NM* - 14/04/2017 03:59:58 PM 344 Views
These are a couple of anatomy videos that turned my stomach - 14/04/2017 08:19:46 PM 819 Views
*NM* - 14/04/2017 08:24:20 PM 355 Views
Heh - 14/04/2017 04:12:46 PM 539 Views
Is your "disarticulating" a head like United's "re-accommodating" Dr. Dao? - 14/04/2017 03:58:08 PM 684 Views
How about organ loaning? - 14/04/2017 04:02:39 PM 618 Views
- 14/04/2017 04:03:57 PM 529 Views
I live for your disapproval face! *NM* - 14/04/2017 04:06:29 PM 346 Views
I think you have gotten more of them than Greg - 14/04/2017 04:10:04 PM 561 Views
No need to track. - 14/04/2017 04:12:50 PM 555 Views
- 14/04/2017 04:16:25 PM 590 Views
Yeah, it did! *NM* - 14/04/2017 04:29:31 PM 347 Views
Joe loves it when he gets twice as much. - 14/04/2017 08:26:17 PM 619 Views
*NM* - 14/04/2017 09:09:38 PM 335 Views
!!! *NM* - 18/04/2017 01:46:01 AM 452 Views
That's because I am more refined and genteel. - 14/04/2017 08:25:28 PM 554 Views
No. - 14/04/2017 04:07:26 PM 609 Views
Bah! - 14/04/2017 04:10:26 PM 583 Views
One would assume - 14/04/2017 04:15:02 PM 533 Views
Speak for yourself, old man. - 14/04/2017 04:20:55 PM 492 Views
Bah - 14/04/2017 04:22:35 PM 547 Views
Well, I can't rate your past performance. - 14/04/2017 04:28:35 PM 620 Views
LOL - 14/04/2017 04:31:48 PM 566 Views
Ooooh, a challenge! - 14/04/2017 04:32:40 PM 591 Views
this poor thread has been thoroughly hijacked - 14/04/2017 04:57:59 PM 533 Views
*NM* - 14/04/2017 04:59:05 PM 350 Views
Well....I'd like to think we're a little nicer. - 14/04/2017 05:36:11 PM 587 Views
That's pretty metal. - 14/04/2017 04:04:42 PM 549 Views
We have 8 people to a cadaver - 14/04/2017 05:34:44 PM 586 Views
Gross anatomy is fascinating, but I'm glad I don't have to do it personally. - 14/04/2017 05:45:47 PM 549 Views
It's my least favourite part of medical school. - 14/04/2017 05:48:23 PM 609 Views
Keep at it! We will watch your career with great interest. - 15/04/2017 05:22:09 AM 492 Views
I love Jonathan Haidt on this subject - 14/04/2017 06:18:28 PM 616 Views
Oh, I don't think the body is sacred - 14/04/2017 06:38:47 PM 772 Views
Oh I understand - 15/04/2017 12:14:44 AM 544 Views

Reply to Message