Preserved human left arm
Wax was injected into the arteries, veins and muscles of this human left arm to preserve its structure. Anatomical preparations such as this were useful in an age when there was a lack of bodies available for dissection. They also allow for specific features such as the network of blood vessels to be highlighted.
This technique was perfected by, among others, Frederik Ruysch (1638-1731), a Dutch anatomist who was also known for his fantastical and often grotesque arrangements of anatomical specimens.
Details
- Category:
- Anatomy & Pathology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A78701
- Materials:
- bone, wax, human remains and paint
- Measurements:
-
overall: 66 mm x 663 mm x 160 mm, 0.402 kg
- type:
- human remains and arm
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
