Cadavers

Cadaveric dissections are a very unique tool in anatomic education. Many are grossed out by the notion of cutting open a dead body but, for those who can tolerate it, cadavers are an essential tool for learning human anatomy. I have had the honor of having hands on experience with cadavers in my internship. I have learned more about human anatomy by cadaveric dissections than I ever learned memorizing bones in my textbook.

That being said, when one comes to a decision between graduate medical programs, the presence of cadavers in the gross anatomy lab should be a factor in their decision. They not only serve as an excellent tool for learning anatomy, but they also can help to desensitize students to the "gross" (double entendre implied) that can often overwhelm health care students in circumstances which involve open wounds, open surgeries, etc. They also help to familiarize the student with some of the basics of surgery such as: dissection of tissue, skeletonizing of vasculature, nerves, muscle, tendon, and manual manipulation of tissue for viewing, suturing, etc.

Here is a great website for cadaveric dissections as a means of learning anatomy: