Human preservation techniques in anatomy: A 21st century medical education perspective (original) (raw)

Human body preservation - old and new techniques

Journal of anatomy, 2014

This review deals with the art of (anatomical) embalming. The first part contains a brief historical review of the history of embalming, starting with ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and the lesser known Chinchorro culture, then going down the centuries and describing the anatomical techniques developed over the last two centuries. The second part deals in detail with the chemicals used for embalming purposes. The third part deals with several approaches to evaluating embalming methods, their suitability for biomechanical testing, antimicrobial properties, histological appearance, and usability. The fourth and final part analyze the European Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) in the light of embalming.

Novel Formaldehyde-Free Embalming Fluid Formulation for Long-term Preservation of Cadavers for Anatomy Teaching

Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture

The dissection of mammalian cadavers enables veterinary students to appreciate the three-dimensional relationships of these specimens. Chemically fixed cadavers are generally used for dissections owing to the impracticality of using fresh specimens in most teaching facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel embalming fluid formulation comprising 25% ethanol, 20% polyethylene glycol 400, 0.1% chloroxylenol, and 10% sodium nitrate made up to 100% with tap water to fix a series of domestic mammals for anatomical dissection. The embalmed cadavers (two cats, two dogs, two goats, and two sheep) were periodically evaluated over a 6-month period. At 1, 10, and 20 weeks of the dissection program, the cadavers were colorimetrically measured and the texture profiles, including hardness, adhesiveness, and deformation, were examined. In addition, tissue samples of the skeletal muscle, liver, lung, and intestine were collected and microbiologically analyzed at various time interval...

Embalming – History to its Recent Advancements

Europasian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019

Embalming as art and science of preserving dead bodies with postponing decomposition using embalming fluid. The method of preservation of cadavers is natural and non-natural. This study involves an extensive search of journal articles to access the trend of development of embalming technique that was developed after many trials and errors. In this paper, we have briefly discussed about the past, present and upcoming future technique of cadaver preservation with recent advances and modification. We also would like to recommend that new internationally recognized standard on embalming technique should be developed so that cadavers were excellently preserved and color remains natural. Keywords: Embalming, Embalming Fluid, Cadaver preservation, Plastination, Recent Advances in Embalming, Formalin

A Comparative Study of Thiel Soft-embalmed and Formalin Preserved Cadavers for Anatomy Dissection

Acta Medica Philippina, 2019

Background and Objective. Cadavers are the main teaching and learning tools utilized by faculty and students of Gross Anatomy. The conventional procedure of using formalin to preserve cadavers has its limited benefit due to its obnoxious odor, darkened color, indistinguishable small structures, rigid joints, with friable organs and tissues. Using the Thiel Method, cadavers are known to have: life-like presentation, a high degree of suppleness, natural mobilization of various body parts with tolerable odor, natural color, and antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare the Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver and the formalin-preserved cadaver for use in Gross Anatomy dissection. Materials and Method. Six formalin-preserved cadavers were compared with six Thiel soft-embalmed ones and were evaluated by 160 first year medical students and 10 faculty members of Gross Anatomy from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine using a visual analogue scale t...