July 22nd, 2024

What it's like to dissect a cadaver

The author shares insights from a 5-hour cadaver dissection, discussing human body intricacies, evolution, neural networks, and consciousness. Friends express interest in future dissections, fostering curiosity and learning.

Read original articleLink Icon
What it's like to dissect a cadaver

The article describes the author's experience dissecting a cadaver in a 5-hour session, highlighting various observations and insights gained during the process. The author reflects on the intricate details of the human body, such as the connective tissue, veins, nerves, and organs, providing vivid descriptions of their appearance and textures. The dissection also leads to contemplation on topics like evolution, neural networks, and the role of the cerebellum in emotional coordination. The experience prompts philosophical musings on pan-psychism and the nature of consciousness in different entities. Despite the initial hesitation, the author's friends show interest in participating in future dissections, emphasizing curiosity and a desire to learn. The article concludes with a mention of upcoming goals in the dissection process and an invitation for feedback from readers.

Link Icon 4 comments
By @biomcgary - 3 months
People donate their bodies to science. I'm not sure that human dissection as entertainment, even if educational, honors the wishes typically associated with that donation.

One can learn many of the same things from dissecting other mammals.

By @rwmj - 3 months
Gunther Von Hagens, of the creepy and possibly unethical Bodyworlds exhibitions, did a TV series of real anatomy in the 2000s. They are well worth watching if you can find them: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0862558/
By @jessriedel - 3 months
By @lazlee - 3 months
While scrolling, I misread that as - "What it's like to dissect a cab driver" - and was like, huh?

I guess it's time to renew the prescription for my reading glasses.