“O death, where is thy sting?” Historical perspectives on the relationship of human postmortem anatomical dissection to medical education and care

From an historical perspective, great intellectual effort and struggle were required to secure the privilege of human postmortem anatomical dissection. It represents one expression of the validity and value of the patient‐physician relationship. The latter contributes to the welfare of mankind, if through that involvement the knowledge and wisdom of each is enhanced. “… Death rejoices to come to the aid of life ” only if patients and physicians are committed to the educational and functional value of postmortem analysis, organ/tissue donation, and cadaveric anatomical dissection. Physicians must be willing to communicate to the individuals they encounter the usefulness of these opportunities for the continued enhancement of patient care and medical science. I would argue that it should be perceived as an expression of an interdependence among all sentient beings, and as such should be promoted as the zeitgeist of all interpersonal relationships within contemporary society.