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Plastinated Human Leg with Artificial Knee

Specifications

Plastinated Human Leg with Artificial Knee

Category

Health and Medicine

Classification

CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology - Biological T&E - Biospecimen

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: The human left leg from the hip to the foot. There are brownish-red muscles running along the length of the skeletal bones. The bones of the knee joint are replaced by an artificial joint made of a white disc and a silver joint above it. This apparatus is visible because the muscles that cover the knee have been cut and now sit as a flap below the knee.

Measurements: Object:
    Height: 46 in, Width: 10 in

Credit

Museum Purchase, 2007.3.14

Display Status

On Exhibit

Plastinated Human Leg with Artificial Knee

About: Plastinated Human Leg with Artificial Knee

About: Plastinated Human Leg with Artificial Knee

This human leg reveals an artificial knee joint. These knee replacements are designed to increase mobility because surgeons take out the diseased tissue but leave the ligaments and tendons intact. 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 with a gas, light or heat to harden and preserve it. The plastination took place at the Institute for Plastination in Germany.

Additional information

Copyright information

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