A technique for the dry preservation of functioning orthopaedic specimens.
A method is presented by which fresh anatomical material may be preserved in a dry state while maintaining joint function and motion. This method could be likened to the tanning of the tendons and ligaments directly on the bones. Mastery of this technique has allowed the preservation of not only the tendinoskeletal system, but also the nervous, vascular, and endotracheal systems as well. While some skill in dissection is necessary, a large amount of the dissection can be done by chemical methods. The actual processing of the specimen is easily done with materials that are readily available. When finished, the specimen is dry, flexible, essentially odorless, and extremely durable. This method can be utilized for material ranging from simple osseous specimens to highly sophisticated dissections. These specimens have been found to be of exceptional advantage in teaching by demonstrating function as well as spatial relationships.
D000096:Acetone; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D007596:Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009068:Movement; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012863:Skeleton / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D012997:Solvents; D014992:Xylenes
D012997:Solvents; D014992:Xylenes; D000096:Acetone; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide