FROM the earliest efforts of ancient Egyptians to examine individual organs we have has been fascinated with getting under the skin and uncovering the secrets of the human body.
In fact anatomy is one of the oldest branches of medicine, with Greek physician Hippocrates one of the first medical scientists to study organ function and find out what makes us tick.
But now you don't have to be a medico or forensic pathologist to see a dissected body in the flesh.
Mere mortals can get to see real human bodies, from the inside out, at a unique exhibition now at Sydney's Entertainment Quarter.
Real Bodies The Exhibition is a display of more than 20 real, perfectly preserved human bodies and over 200 anatomical specimens.
The exhibition moves through the anatomical systems of the human body and is divided into 10 galleries. These include Breathe which explores the respiratory system, Rhythm which delves into the interconnectedness of the circulatory system and Love which looks at the science of physical attraction.
The bodies in the exhibition are preserved using a 'plastination' method called polymer preservation, which uses silicon rubber to prevent decay, permanently preserving the body.
This process can take up to a year, depending on the size of the organ or body.
"It is exciting to see an exhibition of human plastinates be available to the general public in Sydney," said Gavin Burland, president of the Australasian Institute of Anatomical Sciences and one of Australia's top plastination experts.
"These plasinates provide a unique view into the human body that is normal reserved to the medical field, the public will be able to explore and interact with these displays to better understand what's inside that makes us function as people, a unique insight which can't be gained via the technological world that we live in today."
Real Bodies The Exhibition, Byron Kennedy Hall, Entertainment Quarter. Tickets $33, concs $28, under-17s $19, family $71. Phone (02) 8310-7948,
www.realbodiesexhibition.com.auHow to win:
The Senior has two double passes to Real Bodies The Exhibition to giveaway.
For your chance to win, click link and tell us in 25 words or less tell us what you find fascinating about the human bodyhttps://www.thesenior.com.au/competitions/giveaway-real-bodies-ticketsEntries close 11.59pm, May 6.
Winners drawn on May 7.
Australian Competitions Club
