One woman confessed that her group had passed comment on the "extremely large genitalia" of their cadaver. {What she perhaps didn't realize is that the embalming fluid pumped into the veins expands the body's erectile tissues, with the result that male anatomy lab cadavers may be markedly better endowed in death than they were in life.}
In "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," author Mary Roach explores various aspects of human bodies after death, including the surprising reactions of anatomy students to cadavers. One woman shared that her group made comments about the notably large genitalia of their cadaver, highlighting a mix of curiosity and humor in a sensitive academic setting.
What many may not know is that the embalming process can alter the physical appearance of cadavers. The embalming fluid, when injected into the body, causes erectile tissues to expand, often resulting in a greater endowment in male cadavers compared to their living counterparts. This aspect underscores the fascinating and sometimes unexpected realities of studying human anatomy in a post-mortem context.
