Blast from the Past: Beginning Anatomy

Before school began, I read Atul Gawande's book Complications. He was a surgical resident when he wrote the book and not too far away from medical school. It's a really great read to learn about where medical practice and knowledge falls short. In one instance, he describes his first experience making the initial incision for a surgery with a scalpel. The skin was much tougher than he expected! We usually think of our skin and bodies as delicate around such sharp blades, but it took a surprising amount of force to open skin to the light. and taking a frightening amount of force to pierce.

That was on my mind as I entered the dissection lab for the first time. We had attended our first anatomy lecture for the hour before the lab, expecting to be taught lots of techniques and rules for dissection. Instead, we were simply instructed to enjoy this special experience and to respect the bodies of the kind donors, with just a few tips of techniques. The lab is a long room lined with 40 tanks; signs posted on the tanks stated ages and cause of death for each body. Ours was an 83 year old male who died of a pulmonary embolism. Our first dissection was the back, strategically planned so that we can be adjusted to situation before we see our donors face. When my tankmates pulled out the scalpels, that's when I remembered Atul Gawande's words... and that first cut was just like he described it, kind of like trying to push open a door slowly and quietly only to realize that it's stuck tight and you'll need to push with strong force.

I had seen cadavers before from some great experiences at BYU, but this was so much different in that we had to find the structures. We had to cut away skin, fat and connective tissue to reach the muscles below. In many ways, it was a sacred experience, opening a body for the first time, and the only body that I will dissect from head to toe just to learn on. It definitely leaves you with a deep sense of responsibility to learn as much as you can from the cadaver since the donor gave you such a special opportunity.

Not everything was exciting and novel. The preserving chemicals were strong and noxious. Especially our first day, our eyes, throats and noses burned. It was hard to breathe and awfully warm covered in scrubs and a gown. But even as I studied with my friends in the lab today, there was still a strong sense of awe as we looked at the inner workings of the bodies and see the structures and organs we take for granted every day. I definitely am impressed at the beauty and magnificent design of our bodies.