This is the reflection written for our cadaver memorial by my anatomy lab dissection group as we near the end of gross anatomy. I think it sums up our journey this semester perfectly.
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Upon entering medical school, as students we first thought about our cadaver as a means to an end, just a human body with structures and relationships to memorize. It only took one day’s dissection, however, to make us realize that this human body was not just a learning tool but also an incredibly generous gift. Through it, we have grown to appreciate the sacrifice that many have made for our future as physicians.
The anatomy lab has traditionally been a rite of passage, a test of “intestinal fortitude” against the smells of preservatives and decay as well as the ability to memorize as many intricate details of the human body as possible. While some days we were frustrated by the nonconformity or complexity of our patient, we found a second wind of motivation from our deep gratitude to each anatomical donor. Because of their gift to us, we are allowed a unique hands-on perspective into anatomical relationships that no text or other resource can match.
We will never forget how the muscles, nerves, arteries, and organs all orchestrated this man’s emotions, thoughts, and actions, though we will never truly know him. We will never know what his voice sounded like, though we know the contours of his larynx. We will never know what would make him smile, though we understand the position of his facial muscles. His scarred lungs or the screws in his fibula force us to consider our shared experiences as human beings, though we will never know the circumstances behind them. There is much of his “humanity” that will always be a mystery to us even though we have
delved through almost every part of his body.
Still, there is so much more to humanity than the biology and chemistry inside of us. Years down the road, we want to remember that being human involves more than what the eye can see. We now have the structural foundation upon which we may better understand our patients, not simply as biological machines but as complete persons. We cannot underestimate the complexity of our nature, and we are obligated sincerely to give thanks for the generosity of our cadaver who enabled us to gain these insights.
