plastinated

Plastinated refers to biological tissues preserved by plastination, a technique that replaces water and fat in cells with curable polymers to produce durable, odorless specimens. The process was developed by German anatomist Gunther von Hagens in 1978 and has since become widely used for medical education, research, and public exhibitions.

The plastination process typically involves several steps. After fixation to halt decay, tissues are dehydrated and defatted with solvents such as acetone. The specimen is then impregnated with a liquid polymer—commonly silicone, epoxy, or polyester—often under vacuum to ensure thorough penetration. Finally, the polymer is cured or hardened, resulting in a solid, stable, and manipulable specimen. Variants of the method allow for whole-body plastination, organ plastination, or thin slices, which can be mounted or displayed in various ways.

Applications include medical and veterinary education, where plastinated specimens provide durable, reusable teaching aids. They are also used in museums and outreach programs to illustrate anatomy and physiology to the public. The technique offers advantages such as long shelf life, ease of handling, and minimal odor compared with traditional preservation.

Limitations and criticisms address that plastination preserves anatomy rather than living function; some color and tactile properties may be altered; and the process requires specialized equipment and materials. Ethical considerations focus on donor consent and the display of human bodies, guiding regulations and institutional policies in many countries.