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Importance of Cadavers in Science

Cadavers are used in many different facets throughout the scientific community. One important aspect of cadavers use for science is that they have provided science with a vast amount of information dealing with the anatomy of the human body. Cadavers allowed scientists to investigate the human body on a deeper level which resulted in identification of certain body parts and organs. Two Greek scientists, Herophilus of Chalcedon and Erasistratus of Ceos were the first to use cadavers in the third century B.C.. Through the dissection of cadavers, Herophilus made multiple discoveries concerning the anatomy of the human body including the difference between the four ventricles within the brain, identification of seven pairs of cranial nerves, the difference between sensory and motor nerves, and the discovery of the cornea, retina and choroid coat within the eye. Herophilus also discovered the valves within a human heart while Erasistratus identified their function by testing the irreversibility of the blood flow through the valves. Erasistratus also discovered and distinguished between many details within the veins and arteries of the human body. Herophilus later provides descriptions of the human liver, the pancreas, and the male and female reproductive systems due to the dissection of the human body. Cadavers allowed Herophilus to determine that the womb in which fetus’ grow and develop in is not bicameral. This goes against the original notion of the womb in which was thought to have two chambers; however, Herophilus discovered the womb to only have one chamber. Herophilus also discovered the ovaries, the broad ligaments and the tubes within the female reproductive system. During this time period, cadavers were one of the only ways to develop an understanding of the anatomy of the human body.

Galen (130-201 A.D.) connected the famous works of Aristotle and other Greek physicians to his understanding of the human body. Galenic anatomy and physiology were considered to be the most prominent methods to teach dealing with the study of the human body during this time period. Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564), known as the father of modern human anatomy, based his knowledge off of Galen’s findings and his own dissection of human cadavers. Vesalius performed multiple dissections on cadavers for medical students to recognize and interpret the interior body parts of a human being. Cadavers also helped Vesalius discredit previous notions of work published by the Greek physician Galen dealing with certain functions of the brain and human body. Vesalius concluded that Galen never did use cadavers in order to gain a proper understanding of human anatomy but instead used previous knowledge from his predecessors.

Cadavers used within Medical Community

In present day times, cadavers have become more and more popular within the medical and surgical community to gain further knowledge on human gross anatomy. Surgeons have dissected and examined cadavers before surgical procedures on living patients to identify any possible deviations within the surgical area of interest. New types of surgical procedures can lead to numerous amounts of obstacles involved within the procedure which can be eliminated through prior knowledge from the dissection of a cadaver.

Cadavers not only provide medical students and doctors knowledge about the different functions of the human body, but they also provide multiple causes of malfunction within the human body. Galen (250 A.D.), a Greek physician, was one of the first to associate events that occurred during a human’s life with the internal ramifications found later after death. A simple autopsy of a cadaver can help determine origins of deadly diseases or disorders. Autopsy’s also can provide information on how certain drugs or procedures have been effective within the cadaver and how humans respond to certain injuries.

Appendectomies, the removal of the appendix, are performed 28,000 times a year in the United States and are still practiced on human cadavers and not with technology simulations. Gross anatomy, a common course in medical school studying the visual structures of the body, gives students the opportunity to have a hands-on learning environment. The need for cadavers has also grown outside of academic programs for research. Organizations like Science Care and the Anatomy Gifts Registry help send bodies where they are needed most.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4762440/

andreas vesalius discrediting Galen