Anatomy Professor's 'Last Class'

Medical students meet their first 'patients' after completing two years of pre-medical studies: cadavers. These bodies, essential for learning anatomy, are called 'silent teachers.' Through dissecting skin, muscles, nerves, and organs, students grasp the human body's intricate design and the profound responsibility of medicine before they can treat living patients.

Preparing a cadaver is a meticulous and expensive process. It can take up to six months for preservation and maturation suitable for dissection. Additional costs include transportation and cremation, averaging 2 million won per cadaver. This effort is significant, especially considering the historical reliance on unclaimed bodies, a source that dwindled after the 1986 Busan Brothers Home incident, where deaths within the institution were concealed from families.

The ideal educational setting assigns one cadaver to every six students. This ensures each student has adequate hands-on experience. The rigorous process underscores the value placed on anatomical education and the respect afforded to these 'silent teachers' who contribute to the training of future medical professionals.