Abstract:
Plastination is a unique methodfor the preservation of
biological materialfor teaching and research. The
plastinated specimens are dry, odorless, non-toxic and
durable. They can be manipulated by teachers and
students without protective equipment like gloves.
Invented in 1978 by Doctor Gunther von Hagensfrom
the University ofHeidelberg, this technique, that
involves the replacement ofwater by a curable polymer,
has spread rapidly all around the world and is actually
used in over 250 universities and colleges. To our
knowledge, the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, is
the first institution to use plastinated specimens for
teaching anatomy, neuroanatomy, pathology and
radiology to students in chiropractic.
