Editing Dissection (section)

{{Short description|Cutting procedure used in anatomy}}
{{Distinguish |Bisection}}
{{About |the biological examination process}}
{{Infobox anatomy
 |Name=Dissection
 |Image2=Ginkgo embryo and gametophyte.jpg
 |Caption2=[[Ginkgo biloba|Ginkgo]] seed in dissection, showing [[embryo]] and [[gametophyte]]
 |Width=300
 |Image=Cut rat 2.jpg
 |Caption=Dissection of a pregnant rat in a biology class
 |Latin=
}}
'''Dissection''' (from [[Latin]] ''{{lang|la|dissecare}}'' "to cut to pieces"; also called '''anatomization''') is the dismembering of the body of a deceased animal or plant to study its anatomical structure. [[Autopsy]] is used in [[pathology]] and [[forensic medicine]] to determine the cause of death in humans. Less extensive dissection of plants and smaller animals preserved in a [[formaldehyde]] solution is typically carried out or demonstrated in [[biology]] and [[natural science]] classes in middle school and high school, while extensive dissections of [[cadavers]] of adults and children, both fresh and preserved are carried out by [[medical students]] in [[medical schools]] as a part of the teaching in subjects such as [[anatomy]], [[pathology]] and [[forensic medicine]]. Consequently, dissection is typically conducted in a [[morgue]] or in an anatomy lab.

Dissection has been used for centuries to explore [[anatomy]]. Objections to the use of cadavers have led to the use of  alternatives including '''virtual dissection''' of [[computational anatomy|computer models]].

In the field of surgery, the term "dissection" or "dissecting" means more specifically the practice of separating an anatomical structure (an [[organ (biology)|organ]], [[nerve]] or [[blood vessel]]) from its surrounding [[connective tissue]] in order to minimize unwanted damage during a [[surgical procedure]].