Human cadaveric dissection: a historical account from ancient Greece to the modern era

Abstract

The review article attempts to focus on the practice of human cadaveric dissection during its inception in ancient Greece in 3rd century BC, revival in medieval Italy at the beginning of 14th century and subsequent evolution in Europe and the United States of America over the centuries. The article highlights on the gradual change in attitude of religious authorities towards human dissection, the shift in the practice of human dissection being performed by barber surgeons to the anatomist himself dissecting the human body and the enactment of prominent legislations which proved to be crucial milestones during the course of the history of human cadaveric dissection. It particularly emphasizes on the different means of procuring human bodies which changed over the centuries in accordance with the increasing demand due to the rise in popularity of human dissection as a tool for teaching anatomy. Finally, it documents the rise of body donation programs as the source of human cadavers for anatomical dissection from the second half of the 20th century. Presently innovative measures are being introduced within the body donation programs by medical schools across the world to sensitize medical students such that they maintain a respectful, compassionate and empathetic attitude towards the human cadaver while dissecting the same. Human dissection is indispensable for a sound knowledge in anatomy which can ensure safe as well as efficient clinical practice and the human dissection lab could possibly be the ideal place to cultivate humanistic qualities among future physicians in the 21st century.

Keywords: Anatomy Act; Body donation; De Liuzzi; Grave robbing; Human dissection; National socialist regime; Uniform Anatomical Gift Act; Vesalius.

Fig. 1. A woodcut illustration from Fasciculus medicinae (1491) depicting human dissection in medieval Italy. The anatomist (Lector) over viewing the dissection, which is being performed by a barber surgeon (Sector) under directions from the Ostensor, who is pointing to the part of the body to be dissected. Fasciculus medicinae was edited by Johannes de Ketham, a German physician who practiced in medieval Italy. Image in public domain.

Fig. 2. An anonymous engraving of an anatomical dissection session being conducted in full public view in the anatomical theatre in University of Leiden (the Netherlands) which was built in 1596. The illustration is based on a drawing by J.C. vant Woudt in 1609. Image in public domain.

Fig. 3. Andreas Vesalius undertaking an anatomical lecture in Padua. A notable shift from the prevalent trend in medieval Italy as he is dissecting the human body himself. He is referring to Galen's text (prevalent textbook in anatomy in those days) which is open by the side of the cadaver. Vesalius is surrounded by his students in Padua and the general public viewing the dissection from the gallery. Image in public domain.

Fig. 4. The anatomy lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, official city anatomist of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons, drawn by Rembrandt in 1632. Anatomical dissection sessions were social events in those days being attended by students as well as the general public on payment of an entrance fee. All the spectators were properly dressed for a solemn social occasion. Image in public domain.