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The Heart

Life Lessons

A BODY WORLDS donor leaves behind an enduring legacy

“Troughout view-ing this amazing ex-hibit, I had a feeling of deep gratitude to the people who chose to so generously do-nate their bodies

“Autopsy Body After Plastination: Te Superfcial Muscle Body” looks like he stepped out of the pages of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. His muscles have high defnition, his calves and thighs look strong and chiseled, his face is set in determination.

It is a testament to the power of Plastination — anatomist and physician, Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ groundbreaking anatomical preservation method — that the fgure in ques-tion, 77 years old at the time of his death from heart failure, looks to be a man in the prime of his life. During his lifetime, the man smoked, ate and drank alcohol to excess. He lived alone and was diagnosed with psychological problems. But he managed to prolong his life because of his physical activ-ity as a laborer.

“We can draw important lessons about pursuing healthy lifestyles from this donor,” said Dr. von Hagens. “We don’t have to be overambitious and pump iron in the health club for two hours every day. Even small changes made incremen-tally, daily walks, cutting calories and eating sensibly, can make a diference over time.”

When the man donated his body to the Institution for Plastination, he had given his consent for his post-mortal body to be used for public education through autopsy and anatomical display. In 2002, Dr. von Hagens carried out the autopsy, after securing additional permission from the do-nor’s family.

Although the images of the donor during his autopsy showed the tragedy of death. But as a plastinate, he looks like a splendid Renaissance sculpture.

“Under our skin and below the fat tissues, the muscles remain lean and strong, even as we turn old. Te only way one can determine age in plastinated specimens,” according

Normal (Left) and Enlarged (Right)

Te heart is a hollow, muscular organ that is enveloped by a membranous sac (pericar-dium) and is located behind the sternum. Its

size is about the same as that of a man’s clenched fist an It can adapt to prolonged over-exhaustion and it is not to weigh up to one pound. Disorders of the cardiac mus like high blood pressure can lead to significant enlargem enlargement of the heart to the right was caused by a di

Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers | June 5, 2007 | B O D Y W O R L D S 3 | 25