Autopsy as a tool for learning gross anatomy during 1(st) year MBBS

INTRODUCTION: Embalmed cadavers are the primary tool for teaching anatomy. However, difficulties are encountered due to changed color/texture of organs, hardening of tissues, and smell of formaldehyde. To overcome these difficulties, dissections on a fresh human body were shown to the 1(st) year MBBS students, and their perception was noted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After taking universal precautionary measures, postmortem dissections were shown to students on voluntary donated bodies in the dissection hall, in addition to the traditional teaching on embalmed cadavers. Feedback was taken from students and faculty regarding the utility of these sessions. RESULTS: Better appreciation of texture, orientation, location, and relations of organs in fresh body, integration of teaching, awareness of the process and laws related to body donations were the outcomes of the study. However, the smell and sight of blood was felt to be nauseating by some students, and some students were worried about the spread of infectious diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Visualizing single fresh body dissection during 1(st) year professional MBBS is recommended either on medicolegal autopsy or on voluntarily-donated bodies.