As we near the end of life, we start thinking about where wed like our treasures to go: a favorite quilt, jewelry, maybe some art work. Some people take it a step further: Last year, 400 people left their bodies to the University of Arizona.

The UA's College of Medicine, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine created the Willed Body Program 50 years ago so future doctors could learn anatomy from someplace other than textbooks.

Every year, more than 120 first-year medical students from the UA visit the anatomy lab to learn lessons about the thorax, digestive system, neuroscience or the reproductive or life cycle system, said Dr. Jean Wilson, professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and director of the Willed Body Program. Residents and fourth-year medical students also have access to the lab so they can focus on their specialized fields.

The students also learn about biochemistry and the impact pharmacology can have on the body, Wilson said.

For students to be able to do a dissection on a whole body is unparalleled for two reasons, she said. First, it allows them to understand the common themes of the human body, but more importantly, it allows them to see all of the variations, and there are many, many variables in the human body. Being able to see the variations allows them to become better doctors.

For example, Wilson said blood vessels can split many different ways besides the textbook way, even within the same body. Theres a particular back muscle that is only present in 25 percent of people and the duct system of peoples gall bladders vary widely, too.

Typically, four to six students will work at one table, but they are encouraged to look at what the other students in their class are doing as well, Wilson said.

On Friday, medical students from the Class of 2020 held a Memorial Service to honor those who donated their bodies through the Willed Body Program. Students and staff spoke about the anonymous donors and how they wonder what they were like in life, especially as they notice their ailments or touch their hearts and hold their hands. They marveled at their willingness to provide such an invaluable gift, describing them as selfless.

They also talked about how the lessons they learned from their donors will be applied in the future and how theyll never forget them.

Medical school is much different than it used to be, Wilson said.

It used to be 30, 40, 50 years ago, med students came in, did their gross-anatomy class and, unless they were going to become a surgeon, it would be the last time theyd see inside a body, Wilson said.

Nowadays, thanks to the various imaging systems, all doctors can see whats going on in the human body and so their gross anatomy lessons are more relevant than ever, Wilson said.

Wilson stressed the program is more than anatomy. It provides life lessons.

It also helps the students confront death, sometimes for the first time, Wilson said.

There are a few restrictions to participating in the program, but for the most part, donors must be 18 or older, live in Arizona at least part-time and be enrolled in the program. The program only accepts donors if they die in-state and transportation costs are covered by the Willed Body Program. If a funeral home must be used, all costs associated with services, storage and transportation by the funeral home are the responsibility of the family.

The UA also shares donations with Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, Wilson said.

The success of our program depends on people who are willing to donate, Wilson said. Weve been really lucky with the number of donors, but we can never predict the future, so we never discourage anyone from donating.

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Donated bodies benefit UA medical students - Green Valley News