A fellow in the office went to this exhibition at the Franklin
Institute in Philly:
http://philadelphia.about.com/od/calendarofevents/p/body_worlds.htm
"In this 22,000 square foot exhibition (five galleries inside the
museum), guests learn about anatomy, physiology, and health by viewing
real human bodies that have been preserved through a process known as
Plastination."
He called it "life-changing," though it sounds gruesome.
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The Exhibit:
Approximately 25 whole bodies, referred to in the exhibit as
"plastinates," reveal the true-to-life spatial relationships among
organs. Some plastinates are authentically posed playing soccer or
basketball, pondering a chess move, swimming and running, allowing
visitors to comprehend the interconnectedness of the muscle, organ and
vascular systems and view them in various positions.
Plastinates on Display Include :
The Teacher - Photo - The nervous system is shown in precise detail.
Most of the muscles have been removed, and a number of "windows" have
been cut into the bones in order to display numerous nerve pathways.
The Smoker - The skeletal system is revealed on the left side of the
body and on the right, so that guests can view the muscular system.
Combined, these two systems form the locomotive system. The smoker's
blackened lungs can be seen through the spaces between the ribs.
Rearing Horse with Rider - Photo - Although there are major differences
in proportion, guests can discover the similar anatomical arrangement
between horse and man in the form, position and microscopic structures
of their organs and muscles.
The Jumping Dancer - Photo - While jumping up with all extremities
stretched in front of the body, the back of the trunk has been opened
downwards. Lowest is the brain, which in turn rests on the occipital
bone.
Organ Man - The gastrointestinal tract and liver are shifted so that
visitors can clearly see all the organs. The lower part of the liver
displays several cancerous growths, and the gallbladder is filled with
gallstones. At back, the vertebral column and the spinal cord are
visible along the plastinate's middle axis.
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He mentioned a pregnant woman and an obese man on display as well.