We've all seen skeletons, models and charts that try to show us human anatomy. But they all have limitations - skeletons are incomplete, models are artificial, and charts
are two-dimensional.

   

   A scientist in Germany has developed an entirely new way of looking at anatomy - one that allows the best exploration yet of how bones, muscles, organs and systems in our body really look, and how they work together.

   Some examples of his work on display now in an exhibition in Basel, Switzerland. Called "Anatomy Art: Fascination Beneath The Surface" visitors can see more than 200 "plastinated" anatomy specimens of Professor Gunther von Hagens.

   I heard about this exhibit a few months ago, and I'm very excited about being able to show some photos from the exhibit here on HealthCentral.com.

   Prof. Von Hagens has invented the process of plastination, by which real human bodies are impregnated with special polymers. The process allows for both the preservation of entire human bodies, and individual tissues, organs and organ systems.

   Not only does the process allow for almost preservation for an almost indefinite amount of time, it does so in a lifelike way, retaining the real texture of the tissues. 

   In the "Anatomy Art" exhibition, visitors can see aspects of  human anatomy as never before - they can see how  muscles, skeletons and internal organs are positioned relative to each other, as well as the intricate detail of their shape, color and texture.

   For example, The Chess Player (above) shows the complexities of the central nervous system. The brain is exposed, as are the cranial nerves on the left side of the head.

   The process can produce specimens so dry and odorless, that some in the exhibit are available for visitors to touch, allowing them to experience the wonders of the human body in a way that had previously been only available to physicians.

   The exhibition has not been untouched by controversy, however; when it was on display in Austria, some religious leaders objected, saying that it infringed on the "dignity" of the dead people who donated their bodies.

   Well, I can only agree with the German philosophy professor who said that if someone, in full possession of their faculties, agreed to donate their body to this process, it would be more offensive to the dignity of the dead person to "forbid such a donation of a body."

   And what a great legacy it is, to be helping people learn about the amazing and beautiful structure of the human body.

   We've got more of these fascinating photos here at HealthCentral.com. For more information about the Plastination Institute and the Anatomy Art exhibit, visit their website at www.plastination.com.