Gross Anatomy

[polevaultgirl]

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Hey SDN,
I've searched the site and, while I can find many about the rigor of gross anatomy, I can't find any discussions on the emotional and psychological. As someone who is interested in many different health professions, I must admit that I am scared of gross anatomy. While I have no limitations towards animal dissections, the idea of cutting into a human cadaver is. . . Frightening, to say the least. I've already had a few nightmares about it. So I've come to ask you, wise medical students, how was your anatomy experience?

 

[oingoboingo]

I was very apprehensive about gross anatomy. Something about cutting open a cadaver just seemed really wrong to me, and this troubled me from the time I received my acceptance letter until the first day of anatomy lab. Then you get in there and just do what needs to be done and you get over it. Aside from the first few minutes of the first lab (which were filled with panic and regret) I didn't have any problems. I am so thankful to the people who donated their bodies so that we can learn from them. Truly amazing.

 

[JP2740]

At the end, it takes a minute to differentiate the head from the ass. You get so desensitized

 

[tiedyeddog]

At the end, it takes a minute to differentiate the head from the ass. You get so desensitized

agreed. also, just remember almost everyone else is having the same thoughts you are. It helped me to think about how gracious the person who donated their body was, giving such a gift is an amazing thing to do.

Use the gift to the best of your abilities and learn as much as you can.

 

[siliso]

Hey SDN,
I've searched the site and, while I can find many about the rigor of gross anatomy, I can't find any discussions on the emotional and psychological. As someone who is interested in many different health professions, I must admit that I am scared of gross anatomy. While I have no limitations towards animal dissections, the idea of cutting into a human cadaver is. . . Frightening, to say the least. I've already had a few nightmares about it. So I've come to ask you, wise medical students, how was your anatomy experience?

You will adjust. It is human and natural to have some compunction about cutting apart another human. But it is necessary and useful. Maintain gratitude and respect toward this person who chose to have their mortal remains dedicated to your education and your future usefulness in improving and sometimes saving lives. It is sacred and don't let any cynics and a**holes convince you otherwise. But what you are doing is valuable and in accord with this person's last wishes for what should happen to their body after death. Thank them and think about them as a person with a life and people who love them, a person who chose to make a gift to you and to the people you will serve in the future. The mechanics will fall into place and you will do what you need to do: they are no longer feeling any pain or distress about what happens to their body. When you learn from them and see the delicate and amazing architecture of their internal bodies, you are fulfilling their wishes.

 

[alienwares]

I think you'll find it a lot more underwhelming than you think you will. That is to say, the most intimidating part about cutting into a human cadaver for me and many of my classmates was thinking about it beforehand, and the first day of lab. After that, it becomes almost second nature.

Many medical schools also drape parts of the cadaver as well; you won't start cutting a person open, you'll start cutting a hand open, or a chest, but not a whole person. By the time you reach the more difficult areas (face, genitals, skull) you'll have had weeks of lab. Remember, as someone above said, you are acting according to the person's own wishes that their body be used to learn anatomy and physiology.

Your apprehension now is completely normal and appropriate. You will almost certainly adjust quickly, though, much as twenty-thousand-plus other students do each year. Feel free to PM me if you have any other concerns, though. 🙂

 

[cartoondoc]

As someone else mentioned, the body gets draped and revealed slowly, so it's less of a shock. You really do get totally desensitized. I used to be incredibly squeamish and now I could look at anything without flinching.

 

[J ROD]

You will be amazed at what you can get used to. it never bothered me but some of girls in my class had problems. By the end, they were used to it. Some had nightmares about their bodies coming alive and chasing them, etc.

Just put a towel over the face. This helped most to not see the body looking at you.

FYI

And remember to get them juicy. Dont let them dry out. Later dissections can be made much worse if you dont take care of your body.

 

[polevaultgirl]

Thanks for all the replies, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who's a little freaked out, since most people I know say they aren't fazed by it (probably at least partially a lie for most, I know realize). So thanks.

 

[yehhhboiii]

You will be amazed at what you can get used to. it never bothered me but some of girls in my class had problems. By the end, they were used to it. Some had nightmares about their bodies coming alive and chasing them, etc.

Just put a towel over the face. This helped most to not see the body looking at you.

FYI

And remember to get them juicy. Dont let them dry out. Later dissections can be made much worse if you dont take care of your body.

i like to put some paper towels on top and then soak the body. it worked well

forgot to specify that the paper towels were between the skin and the inside of the body

 

[J ROD]

i like to put some paper towels on top and then soak the body. it worked well

yeah, we used blue towels we had.....just cleaner. Main thing is keep it wet and covered when not in use.

 

[Anastomoses]

I didn't think there was gonna be a problem but then I started dissecting one day - making long vertical slits on the inner thighs - and the cadaver came to life and bit me!

 

[siliso]

I don't know why, since they weren't first or last, but the hands bothered me the most, but something about the fingerprint. And the activating mirror neurons that scream how bad a papercut hurts, even though I know this cut doesn't. And these are the major modalities with which the person experienced and interacted with an touched and held the world. Happily it settled down to git r done mode by face/skull time.

Remain a person with human reaction and care as you go along with the mechanics moisturizing and defining structures. . If you can start with compassion and love for a dead, desiccating remnant of a person, how much more will you be able to maintain compassion for people who are sick or dying because they are marginalized "bad-choice making " humans who can still talk to you about their self images and their hopes. Depending on your curriculum and mentors you can learn to love and appreciate the honor of being with people and learning from them at their worst (being dead probably counts #1 on that scale), or you can learn that it's all a bg joke and a pointless waste of your time, which it certainly can be for you with that approach. It's up to you and I assume you can tell what I'd recommend - not in the interests of knowing the most insertions and arterial branchings but in the interest of being a whole and healing person. (n.b. it's also totally possible to do both.)

It's an exercise that has some profound mental/spiritual gifts to give, if you want and seek them. Otherwise it's a waste of your time and study Netters or Rohan's and you will pass

 

[Doctor Strange]

I think everyone is a little apprehensive at some level at first, but I felt like my entire class got over it by the end of five minutes. The worst part of it all is trying to get the smell off of yourself.

 

[CorgiDoctor]

I just got home from my first day and am feeling incredibly overwhelmed. My medical school did not drape my cadaver at all and having to see the face, turn the cadaver over, etc., was really rough on me. I've been crying since I got home and cannot even begin studying. Has anyone had an experience like this and gotten over it?

I'm worried that I've made completely the wrong decision and that I'm not going to be able to get through this.

 

[yehhhboiii]

man that's really rough, i can't believe that they didn't cover the face. face and the hands are the worst to see for the first time.
death is something you'll have to deal with eventually but you're on your first steps
you'll get used to it after a few days, just keep making your way through
i really wanted to quit when i first started but i kept going. a lot of people feel overwhelmed.

your school probably has a counseling service. it's good to talk to someone and you definitely won't be the first to do so

 

[Frazier]

I just got home from my first day and am feeling incredibly overwhelmed. My medical school did not drape my cadaver at all and having to see the face, turn the cadaver over, etc., was really rough on me. I've been crying since I got home and cannot even begin studying. Has anyone had an experience like this and gotten over it?

I'm worried that I've made completely the wrong decision and that I'm not going to be able to get through this.

You will become desensitized with enough exposure.

Do not hesitate to take advantage of your schools counseling/mental health services. I don't say that in jest (but rather they might be able to offer you some therapy/techniques to adapt more smoothly+quickly).

 

[deleted480308]

My first choice school actually offers med students the chance to meet the donor's family if the family wishes once the process is all over. It was described as a pretty moving event

 

[scorm]

My first choice school actually offers med students the chance to meet the donor's family if the family wishes once the process is all over. It was described as a pretty moving event

That'd be pretty awkward. I'd definitely take a pass.

 

[Doctor Strange]

That'd be pretty awkward. I'd definitely take a pass.

Same. Eternally thankful for the donation, but the "hey, I totally cut up your loved one in the name of medicine and science!" aspect of it is a little... Meh.

 

[CorgiDoctor]

You will become desensitized with enough exposure.

Do not hesitate to take advantage of your schools counseling/mental health services. I don't say that in jest (but rather they might be able to offer you some therapy/techniques to adapt more smoothly+quickly).

Thanks, I think I am going to go see the counseling service tomorrow. Right now I keep smelling formaldehyde and getting upset all over again (despite showering, washing my hands a bunch, etc, so I'm pretty sure it's psychosomatic.) Hopefully counseling + desensitization will make things better for me. I'm feeling like a crazy person right now.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Thanks, I think I am going to go see the counseling service tomorrow. Right now I keep smelling formaldehyde and getting upset all over again (despite showering, washing my hands a bunch, etc, so I'm pretty sure it's psychosomatic.) Hopefully counseling + desensitization will make things better for me. I'm feeling like a crazy person right now.

No, the scent actually does stick to you. You're not crazy!

 

[J ROD]

The scent will get on everything.

Just cover the face and the rest with the sheet. You will get used to it.

It is only day 1. So we know you arent a surgery type....lol

 

[Mr Avante]

So we know you arent a surgery type....lol

 

[Donald Juan]

Thanks, I think I am going to go see the counseling service tomorrow. Right now I keep smelling formaldehyde and getting upset all over again (despite showering, washing my hands a bunch, etc, so I'm pretty sure it's psychosomatic.) Hopefully counseling + desensitization will make things better for me. I'm feeling like a crazy person right now.

It's not psychosomatic. That crap soaks into you and no amount of hand washing will get it off. Only time.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Thanks, I think I am going to go see the counseling service tomorrow. Right now I keep smelling formaldehyde and getting upset all over again (despite showering, washing my hands a bunch, etc, so I'm pretty sure it's psychosomatic.) Hopefully counseling + desensitization will make things better for me. I'm feeling like a crazy person right now.

You'll become used to it, you'll notice it less.

I threw my scrubs from anatomy into my locker after I finished anatomy almost two full years ago. I opened my locker the other day and almost threw up from. The smell sucks. The more you are around it the less you'll notice it. Just remember everyone is going through this, too. You're normal.

 

[yehhhboiii]

I've heard that double gloving really helps to keep the stench off your hands. Never tried it myself though

 

[Doctor Strange]

I've heard that double gloving really helps to keep the stench off your hands. Never tried it myself though

My hands feel so trapped double gloved.

 

[Anastomoses]

My first choice school actually offers med students the chance to meet the donor's family if the family wishes once the process is all over. It was described as a pretty moving event

Which school? That's really awesome. We should all have to do that.

 

[deleted480308]

Which school? That's really awesome. We should all have to do that.

UCF (disclaimer, that is my memory from a tour I took their with a premed club....) and I thought it was a beautiful idea

 

[J ROD]

I've heard that double gloving really helps to keep the stench off your hands. Never tried it myself though

I learned to double glove and even triple when we were doing the intestine.

At first, I only did single and the smell was too bad. Could not eat anything with my hands.

Double glove and use dial soap (the yellow bar). It actually got the smell off my hands. In fact, I bought some for the whole lab.

 

[HLxDrummer]

It isn't a big deal. The first day we went in they were on their backs and we just cut the skin on their backs. A little weird at first but got used to it really fast. By the end you can hardly (if at all) recognize them. I wouldn't stress out.

As far as smell, it isn't a bad smell. Really I just didn't like it because I associated it with hours of misery studying the cadavers lol You will feel greasy and smell until you shower, though. I never double gloved/did anything fancy. Single pair of gloves, try to keep the juice off your scrubs and get a shower when you get home. It's all good.

 

[cbrons]

Thanks, I think I am going to go see the counseling service tomorrow. Right now I keep smelling formaldehyde and getting upset all over again (despite showering, washing my hands a bunch, etc, so I'm pretty sure it's psychosomatic.) Hopefully counseling + desensitization will make things better for me. I'm feeling like a crazy person right now.

You will get desensitized over time. It is what it is kid. Hang in there.

 

[yehhhboiii]

face is the worst, especially if you're going around the eye. but once it gets cut in half, it seems like another part of a body

 

[Southplains]

Like others are saying, if you're having trouble with the dissection, you will soon get over it. Especially when you start studying everything you need to know about it. The shock of that I'm still trying to work through.

 

[hybridpotato]

A lot of the cadavers we use at our school are there because their families couldn't afford a funeral service and knowing this makes me feel incredibly bad about the dissections.

After two labs, I already feel desensitized but doing things like holding the hand to keep it supinated while another partner cuts is just too much.