Unlikely teachers: The enduring role of cadavers in educating future doctors

The use of cadavers for research has been a controversial subject, historically marred by tales of grave robbers, corrupt body donation officials and unscrupulous morticians. (Just this past Thursday funeral home employees in Rochester, New York, were indicted for illegally harvesting body parts from the deceased in their care.) The methods for acquiring cadavers for medical study have become markedly more transparent over the years. This four part series will explore the role of cadavers in modern medicine through several lenses: the anatomy classroom, the donation process, the awareness and current debate surrounding organ donation, and the stances taken by major religions on the practice of donating your body to science. Most medical students and professionals believe that studying anatomy on the real thing is essential. Some students feel that naming the cadaver personalizes the experience. “Their argument is that this is a person, he should have a name. During the months students spend studying anatomy, and they dissect the chest, followed by the back, abdomen, pelvis, and arms and legs, before concluding the term with the head and neck. While dissecting the chest and abdomen students display the organs, but most are not dissected beyond this, with the exception of the heart. By examining the heart’s chambers students are able to better understand the structure and functions.