Preserved human left hand, mid 19th century
Wax has been injected into the arteries, veins and muscles to preserve the internal structure of the hand. This technique was perfected by Frederik Ruysch (1638-1731), a Dutch anatomist. The wax injection highlights the blood vessels that otherwise would be difficult to distinguish.
Anatomical preparations such as this one were useful in an age when there was a lack of bodies available for dissecting. This arm may have been used as a teaching aid for medical students.
Details
- Category:
- Anatomy & Pathology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A600029
- Materials:
- bone, wax, paint and human remains
- Measurements:
-
overall: 77 mm x 230 mm x 156 mm, 0.108 kg
- type:
- human remains and hand
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
