Devra ([info]devradigestion) wrote,
@ 2005-08-27 00:44:00
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Plastination
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PLASTINATION



• Human beings have been trying to see inside the body for thousands of years. Our fascination with anatomy goes back to the times of ancient Egypt and likely even before then.

• Organic decay makes it difficult for us to study human anatomy and for centuries, scientists have been searching for better preservation techniques.

• Plastination, invented by German Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, is a vacuum process whereby the body’s water and fat are replaced with reactive plastics that are initially pliable and then harden after infusion. All tissue structures are retained.

• Unlike plastic models, plastinated specimens are intricate, REAL displays of human anatomy.

• It takes an average of 1,500 hours to transform a cadaver into a full-body plastinate.

• Plastinated specimens are dry and odorless and retain their natural structure – in fact, they are identical to their pre-preservation state down to the microscopic level.

• "Slice plastination" is a special variation of this preservation technique. Frozen body specimens are cut into slices which are then plastinated. Plastinated organs and body slices are a useful teaching aid for cross-sectional anatomy which is gaining importance in medical communities.



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Cont'd - Frequently Asked Questions - I
[info]devradigestion
2005-08-26 10:56 pm UTC (link)
What is BODY WORLDS?

Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, is a first-of-its-kind exhibit in which guests learn about anatomy, physiology and health by viewing real human bodies, preserved through an extraordinary method called “plastination.”

The exhibition features more than 200 authentic human specimens, including entire bodies as well as individual organs and transparent body slices. Using the revolutionary process of plastination, the body specimens are preserved with special plastics that enable us to view the many organs and systems under our skin. The exhibit also allows for guests to understand diseases, the effects of tobacco consumption and use of artificial supports such as knees and hips.

To date, nearly 16 million people globally have viewed the exhibit.

What is the purpose of the exhibit?

BODY WORLDS aims to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and to show the effects of poor health, good health and lifestyle choices. It is also presented in the hopes that it will stimulate curiosity about the science of anatomy and physiology.

Why is this exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry?

The Museum’s mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational. To do this, we must be fun, inclusive, provocative and spectacular. BODY WORLDS fulfills this mission. As a world-class science institution, the Museum has traditionally offered exhibits related to the human body beginning with the Prenatal exhibit since 1939, the Anatomical Slices since the 1940s and the addition of Genetics in 2002.

Why would the public want to see this exhibit?

Prior to BODY WORLDS, this type of real anatomical detail could only be experienced by members of the medical community. BODY WORLDS inspires the general public to learn more about how the human body functions and how lifestyle choices affect the body.

Couldn’t I learn just as much from books or models of the human anatomy?

The unique use of authentic specimens shows the details of disease, physiology and anatomy in a way that cannot be shown with models, textbooks or photos. In addition, the exhibit allows guests to understand that each and every body has its own unique features, even on the inside. We have also learned with our Anatomical Sections and Prenatal Development exhibits that guests are drawn to real specimens in a way that they are not to plastic models.


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