How to Dissect a Cadaver
Medical students and pathologists dissect cadavers for various purposes. The dissection provides the opportunity to learn the anatomical landmarks of the body and look for any disease. The process can be informative and fun for those who want to study human body.
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Things You'll Need
- Vacuum suction needle
- Blue dye
- Surgical dissection kit
- Scalpel
- Retractors
- Hand gloves
- Face mask
Instructions
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Use a vacuum suction to take out the clotted blood from the arteries and veins of the cadaver. Differentiate between arteries and veins by injecting a blue dye through the jugular vein. The die will lace the vein with a blue color. Proceed by inserting the suction needle in the carotid arteries and the highlighted jugular veins.
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Dissect with an authentic surgical dissection kit; commonly available in medical supply stores. Take a scalpel to make an initial incision from the symphysis pubis to the superior margin of the sternum. The belly contains most of the fat so you might have to cut deeper in some cadavers. Use a rotary saw for the ribs.
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Follow the lower border of the jaw and make a second incision to reveal the pharynx. The first and the second incision also enable you to study the viscera of the neck, thorax and abdomen.
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Make the incision on the anterior surface of the cadaver to study the extremities. For the upper extremities the incision should run from the shoulder to the wrist. For the lower extremities, dissect from the inguinal area to the foot.
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Place retractors in the incisions for the thoraco-abdominal region. This helps spread out the ribs in the thorax and the muscles in the abdomen to reveal the viscera. Spread the skin and fascia over the extremities with retractors or expose as needed.
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Remove the retractors and instruments once you are done. Cover the cadaver with a sheet and return to the appropriate storage area.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear gloves and a face mask as the smell of the chemicals used to preserve the body might be nauseating.
Do not mutilate the cadaver as every human body deserves respect.
