Cadaver lab creates learning opportunity
By Kyle A. Porter, October 2009
Editor-in-chief
Human cadavers, donated to help train scientists and healthcare professionals, will be part of the curriculum for anatomy and physiology students at PVCC.
This learning tool for students of BIO201, 202 and 160 was planned in the design of the new Life Sciences building opened fall 2009. Only two other Maricopa Colleges offer cadaver labs to biology students. Paradise Valley Community College now has the proper space and supplies for the care, maintenance and preservation of cadavers, says Jeffrey Lace, PVCC anatomy and physiology faculty.
“The primary benefit is that students can appreciate the level of organization of the human body and the relationship between structures,” Lace says.
Cadavers are requested through the University of Arizona’s medical school and represent different sexes, ages and medical conditions present to illustrate the human body for students, according to Hank Mancini, Ph.D., science division chair. “We’re hoping for three cadavers eventually” to give students the best training, he says.
Paul Barker, a PVCC student enrolled in BIO201, anatomy and physiology, looks forward to the cadaver lab for “the firsthand experience it offers.” Barker plans to pursue a medical degree.
Another pre-med PVCC student, Daniel Hannon, completed biology classes last year, but hopes to observe the cadaver labs this year.
“We had the experience of cat dissection in my class; we need the experience of studying the human body,” says Hannon.
“This is an excellent opportunity for students entering health care to get their first exposure to cadavers,” says Lace. “In many health-related, profession programs, students will actually be performing the dissection.”
Donors for scientific cadaver use and the suppliers may stipulate the length of time they may be used and the purposes. “We are developing guidelines and procedures for cadaver use here,” says Lace.
“We must abide by any specific directions of the donor.” |
