Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart

Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart is a unique collection of over 200 authentic human specimens, including whole-body Plastinates, organs and translucent body slices. These are the first public anatomical exhibitions of real human bodies, offering visitors a profound insight into the human body, health and disease, and the intricate world of the cardiovascular system. With The Story of the Heart as a highlight, we are able to focus on the human body’s most hardworking organ—and the first functioning organ to develop in the human embryo.

Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart / Image: Zuma Press

So what are Plastinates? Invented by Dr. von Hagens, Plastination is the anatomical specimen preservation method that makes the presentation of aesthetic anatomy possible. Translated, it’s a technique used in anatomy to preserve bodies or body parts. The water and fat are replaced by certain plastics, producing specimens that can be touched, do not smell or decay, and even retain most properties of the original sample. With Body Worlds, people of all ages—not just med students and doctors—can appreciate them.

As an example, in sheet Plastination, a cadaver is frozen in acetone and foamed with polyurethane. Then, millimeter thin slices of the body are created and after dehydration in acetone, the slices are Plastinated in an epoxy resin solution. Finally, curing is done with the aid of ultraviolet light. And there you have a translucent body slice to witness the good (and bad) of what’s inside of us.

In an overview of his exhibit, Body Worlds, Dr. von Hagens said:

“Knowledge about the human body should not remain the secret of a privileged few. It should be freely available to everyone. Nothing is as close to us as our body, but there is nothing else that is close to us about which we know so little ….. Body Worlds unveils the beauty beneath the skin frozen in time, between death and decay.”

My visit to Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart at the Buffalo (NY) Museum of Science was fascinating—it was both educational and entertaining, all rolled into a couple hour tour of the human body. Once you actually get into the exhibit (you will probably have to wait—it’s that popular), organs are separately and systematically organized by subject area where you can learn about their functions and common diseases. Then you can see authentic whole body models, created from people who agreed to give their bodies to Plastination after their deaths. You can do this, too—and inside the exhibit, you can find out how.

Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart / Image: Zuma Press

Each and every nerve of the anatomical structures had to be fixed in the correct position. It could take weeks just to get everything right. In fact, producing a whole body Plastinate could take 8-12 months. As an example, the “Rearing Horse with Rider” dragged out over three years. Keep that in mind when you check that one out. It’s huge. And in case you were wondering how everything stays put as it’s moved from one tour stop to the next—the models are irreversibly solidified. The process of creating these works of wonder is as fascinating as the subject matter itself.

I like how spaces were created in some of the models—fragments of the bodies are opened like doors to see what’s inside of inside, so to speak. Take your time and really check these out from all angles. You’ll tour the loco motor system, nervous system, internal organs; and the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and urogenital systems. You’ll also see the spatial relationship of our organs and an amazing insight into prenatal development.

I have to admit, certain elements grossed me out as much as educated and intrigued me. I guess I’m just squeamish that way. But more than anything, the exhibit showed me how complex the human body is. It’s almost unfathomable how complicated we really are.

Body Worlds has been in close to 50 cities around the world with over 27 million visitors. In North America—the same exhibit I saw, Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart—is bound for Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre from October 9-February 28; and Body Worlds 2 and The Brain will be in Philadelphia from October 17-February 9.

Special thanks to Amy Biber at the Buffalo Museum of Science for the access and impressive press kit of Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart. It was an educational experience I’ll not forget.

Source: BodyWorlds.com