Editing Dissection (section)

==Overview==

Plant and animal bodies are dissected to analyze the structure and function of its components. Dissection is practised by students in courses of [[biology]], [[botany]], [[zoology]], and [[veterinary science]], and sometimes in [[arts]] studies. In medical schools, students dissect human [[cadaver]]s to learn [[anatomy]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Anatomy teaching: ghosts of the past, present and future |last1=McLachlan |first1=John C. |date=17 February 2006 |journal=Medical Education |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02401.x |pmid=16483327 |last2=Patten |first2=Debra |volume=40 |issue = 3|pages=243–253|s2cid=30909540 }}</ref> Zoötomy is sometimes used to describe "dissection of an animal".

===Human dissection===
A key principle in the dissection of human cadavers (sometimes called '''androtomy''') is the prevention of human disease to the dissector. Prevention of transmission includes the wearing of protective gear, ensuring the environment is clean, dissection technique<ref name=Handbook>{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Autopsy Practice - Springer|url=https://archive.org/details/handbookautopsyp00wate|url-access=limited|doi=10.1007/978-1-59745-127-7|chapter=2. Principles of Dissection|pages=[https://archive.org/details/handbookautopsyp00wate/page/n19 11]–12|year = 2009|isbn = 978-1-58829-841-6|last1 = Waters|first1 = Brenda L.|editor1-first=Brenda L|editor1-last=Waters}}</ref> and pre-dissection tests to specimens for the presence of [[HIV]] and hepatitis viruses.<ref name=":2" /> Specimens are dissected in morgues or anatomy labs. When provided, they are evaluated for use as a "fresh" or "prepared" specimen.<ref name=":2" /> A "fresh" specimen may be dissected within some days, retaining the characteristics of a living specimen, for the purposes of training. A "prepared" specimen may be preserved in solutions such as formalin and pre-dissected by an experienced anatomist, sometimes with the help of a [[diener]].<ref name=":2" /> This preparation is sometimes called [[prosection]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/prosect|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106103221/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/prosect|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2015|title=prosect - definition of prosect in English from the Oxford dictionary|website=www.oxforddictionaries.com|access-date=2016-05-10}}</ref>

[[File:Dissection tools.jpg|thumb|Dissection tools. Left to right: [[scalpel]]s with No. 20 and No. 12 blades, two [[forceps]] and [[scissors]]]]

Most dissection involves the careful isolation and removal of individual organs, called the [[Rudolf Virchow|Virchow technique]].<ref name=Handbook/><ref name=":3">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jPNwCgAAQBAJ|title=Autopsy Pathology: A Manual and Atlas|last1=Connolly|first1=Andrew J.|last2=Finkbeiner|first2=Walter E.|last3=Ursell|first3=Philip C.|last4=Davis|first4=Richard L.|date=2015-09-23|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9780323287807|language=en}}</ref> An alternative more cumbersome technique involves the removal of the entire organ body, called the Letulle technique. This technique allows a body to be sent to a funeral director without waiting for the sometimes time-consuming dissection of individual organs.<ref name=Handbook /> The Rokitansky method involves an ''in situ'' dissection of the organ block, and the technique of Ghon involves dissection of three separate blocks of organs - the thorax and cervical areas, gastrointestinal and abdominal organs, and urogenital organs.<ref name=Handbook /><ref name=":3" /> Dissection of individual organs involves accessing the area in which the organ is situated, and systematically removing the anatomical connections of that organ to its surroundings. For example, when removing the [[heart]], connects such as the [[superior vena cava]] and [[inferior vena cava]] are separated. If pathological connections exist, such as a [[fibrous pericardium]], then this may be deliberately dissected along with the organ.<ref name=Handbook/>

===Autopsy and necropsy===
Dissection is used to help to determine the cause of death in [[autopsy]] (called [[necropsy]] in other animals) and is an intrinsic part of [[forensic]] medicine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interactive Autopsy |url=http://australianmuseum.net.au/interactive-tools/autopsy/ |publisher=Australian Museum |access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref>