Portfolio / Illustrations / Cadaveric Dissection Studies
Cadaveric Dissection Studies
Supervisors:
Audience:
Completed on:
Tools used:
Prof Dave Mazierski¹, Dr. Anne Agur² (content expert)
Anatomy students, medical students
Dec. 2016 (studies), May. 2017 (ink)
Graphite, Brushpen, Pen & ink
This is an illustration series detailing key structures throughout a serial cadaveric dissection process, as part of a gross anatomy course. Illustrations were done through live observation, typically on the days of dissection proceeding the session hours. Dissected anatomical structures were visually parsed and illustrated, and labels were implemented in parallel. This was not only an invaluable experience in coupling observational drawings to dissection, but also further reinforced the anatomical knowledge inferred throughout the dissections. A few pieces were redrawn using pen and ink later on.
¹Biomedical Communications, University of Toronto, ²Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
Process Work
1. Rationale
Taking part in a human dissection course was a great privilege and an invaluable opportunity to learn gross human anatomy hands on. This notion motivated my time and energy investment into creating this dissection illustration series. It also offered a visually clear, personal record of the dissection process.
2. Dissection and Observational Learning
Throughout the process of dissection in a lab session, three-dimensional structural relationships between components in a dissected region were learned through activity (dissection), observation (quiz rotations with other cadaver dissection groups), and explanation by course instructors.
3. Observational Studies
Cadaveric drawing sessions were conducted directly after dissection periods. Cadavers were minimally posed as needed to reveal all important structures for visual study. Drawing sessions lasted 1-3 hours.
4. Labelling and Refinement
anatomical labels were appended in drawings simultaneous to the drawing process while the visual-informational understanding of the anatomy was still fresh. Drawings can then be inked in the future and accurately labelled digitally.
References
Augur, A.M.R., and A.F. Dalley. Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy 14e. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Company. 2017.
Detton, Alan J. Grant's Dissector 16e. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Company. 2016.