Mummification to plastination. Revisited.
A brief summary of the history of anatomy is presented with particular focus on important scientists who contributed significantly to the development of anatomical education and recognition of anatomy as a discipline of science. An attempt has been made to review the history of preservation of human cadavers from earliest mummification methodology used by ancient Egyptians to the most modern technique of embalming and plastination of human cadavers, developed by Von Hagens during the period from 1979 to 1987. The need for use of modern teaching aids for instruction of topographic anatomy is also highlighted.
Saeed
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Department of Anatomy, 28-KKUH College of Medicine, and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. shafi@ksu.edu.sa/msaeedshafi@hotmail.com
Rufai
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Elsayed
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D000715:Anatomy / Q000266:history*; D004534:Egypt; D004615:Embalming / Q000266:history*; D005060:Europe; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans