title: Neuroanatomy and cadaver dissection in Italy: History, medicolegal issues, and neurosurgical perspectives.
abstract: Despite the significant Italian tradition of important anatomical studies, an outdated law historically influenced by the Catholic church restricts the use of cadavers for teaching and scientific purposes. The object of the present paper was to trace the historical evolution of the Italian anatomical tradition, particularly neuroanatomical studies, in relation to the juridical regulations on the use of cadavers today. Special attention was paid to the opportunities offered to neurosurgery by using cadavers and to the scientific and social issues in neurosurgical training in the twenty-first century. Considering the new Common European Constitution, the authors advocate a political solution from the European community to improve the quality of training in the disciplines with a social impact such as neurosurgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Ospedale Sant' Andrea, Universitá di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvati
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marinozzi
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.forename: Luciana Rita
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Angeletti
authors.forename: Manolo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccirilli
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gaudio
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delfini
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection / Q000266:history* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; 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; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009445:Neuroanatomy / Q000266:history*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000266:history*