anatomy lab: day 1

Today was our first day of doing actual dissections in anatomy lab. (While we also studied anatomy last quarter, we just examined the bodies that had already been dissected.) The lab had been "restocked" with a whole new set of cadavers, and we were the ones going to make the very first cuts...starting with the neck. The difficult part was that we were going to have to remove the black plastic bag that normally covers the head. While I have spent some time in the anatomy lab before, I have never seen a "new" cadaver that had not been dissected, nor have I seen the face. When we first pulled the plastic bag off, it was a bit unnerving. She was a large lady, and easily looked like she could have been someone's grandma, with a big nose and a full head of curly gray hair. I had to make someone else do the first cuts, because it seemed so unnatural to slice someone open from their chin to their chest. After awhile though, you get a little bit used to it, and it becomes a little easier to focus on finding different muscles and veins inside the neck rather than thinking about the lady lying on the table. Eventually I was even able to take the scalpel and help with the dissection. It is also interesting to look around the room and see the other bodies. Rather than seeing a bunch of muscles, bones, and nerves, I saw the woman with the bright orange hair and the man with the many tattoos. Although, I don't think they will appear this way for long. Apparently, on Thursday we are cutting open the heads to remove the brain. I think that day will be a little tough too. I guess I will just have to keep reminding myself how lucky I am that this woman lying on table 13 donated her body so that I could learn.