Wax plaque showing a dissected female figure, Europe, 1801-1830
This deep dissection of the female body shows the alimentary canal – the path taken by food through the mouth, oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, down through the intestines to the anus. It also includes the arteries that supply the lower part of the body. This may have been to show the digestive system of the mother and used to explain how it relates to the placenta in the uterus.
Object number:
A600051 Pt4
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: anatomy
A branch of medical science concerned with the structure of living organisms.
Glossary: plaque
An ornamental tablet of metal, porcelain etc that depicts a person, scene or inscription. Often fixed to a building in commemoration of a person or notable historical occurence.
Glossary: uterus
The hollow reproductive organ in female mammals. The uterus is where the foetus develops after conception. The word 'womb' is often used among non-medical people to refer to the same area.
Glossary: dissection
The cutting apart and separation of body tissues for the purposes of critical examination. Dissection of corpses is often carried out for the study of anatomy.
Glossary: placenta
The placenta is an organ, rooted to the lining of the womb, which links an unborn baby's blood supply to the mother’s. By linking to the mother's blood supply, the placenta carries out functions that the unborn baby cannot.