This human arterial system connects the inner organs of the human body from the upper chest to the upper thighs. Veins and arteries are used to transport blood throughout the body. Vessels are concentrated in the heart, liver, and kidneys because those organs are involved in the circulation and cleaning of the blood. This real human specimen was preserved through the process of plastination, invented by Dr. Gunther Von Hagens and patented between 1977 and 1982. Von Hagens’ goal was to preserve specimens for medical study.

Plastination is a multi-step process that can take up to a year to complete. All bodily fluids and soluble fats are removed from the specimens and then replaced by resins and elastomers, natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties. Once the specimen has absorbed these substances, it can be cured with a gas, light or heat to harden and preserve it. The plastination took place at the Institute for Plastination in Germany.