Today we were introduced to the bodies that are to serve as our anatomy "hands-on" models. Each group of 4 "gets to" dissect a body that has been very generously donated by someone that has passed on, and that thought that our trampling with their tissues, bones, and who knows what else, is worth it for the benefit of a greater good.
I think I have a woman (she was facing down and partially covered), I am guessing 60's, a little plump. Her skin is mostly tight (which wasn't true of all bodies), and because of the stuff they put in when embalming, she has reddish skin in some areas. She is also grey in other areas, and in some spots the two are mixed. So I couldn't tell if her complexion was yellowish, tannish, reddish, pinkisk, or simply pale by looking at her. But I could tell that she had a few freckles in her thighs and her calves. They were large, round freckles, a darker shade of gray than the rest of the skin. I thought they were unusual because there were none in her back. Maybe she got more sun in her legs than in her back?
And as I looked at the palm of her hand, ackwardly facing me while her body faced the table, I wondered if in a few weeks I will be this curious about her life, her death, and her reason to let us do all we are going to do to her body. All in the name of medicine.
I've been queasy since then, and my stomach was ready to bolt. And we haven't even started dissecting. That, too will pass. Right?
~e
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I hope it passes!!! Cuz it is way cool don't u think? I loved looking at the bodies in the human dissection classes my friends were in!! Lucky u!!! how incredibly interesting!!! OSU doesn't start til Sept 28th!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was really cool once we started cutting and looking for muscles and nerves. BUT I still got kinda sick afterwards. The smell is pretty disgusting...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the Summer while you can!
I could see how that would be very interesting once you get over the idea that you are cutting into what was once an actual person. Yeah, I'd have to "objectify" the item on the table before I could begin working on it.
ReplyDeleteHave you found anything yet that you can breathe that would disguise the smell?
They say to use vapor-rub and put it under your nose. And there is a formaldehyde-be-gone somewhere around. Guess I should try them out...
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