Joy Y. Balta

INTRODUCTION Using bodies of the deceased in anatomy education, research, and clinical skills training has been an effective teaching method in various health professional schools worldwide.1-4 Anatomy organizations around the world, including the American Association for Anatomy (AAA) and the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), medical educators, and researchers have made considerable efforts to ensure appropriate models of ethical practice are utilized to obtain...

INTRODUCTION This special issue highlights the intersection of anatomy and spirituality or, for some, the divergence of science and mysticism. If you were wondering how we ended up with this special issue in a leading scientific journal, it is because each and every one of us, as students, educators, scientists, body donors, or members of the community, have had our own journey with spirituality, or the lack thereof, which has shaped who we are today.

INTRODUCTION Dissections of deceased human bodies have been conducted for centuries in order to learn about human anatomy, conduct research, and improve clinical practice.