A professor of anatomy at the University of Ilorin, Prof Moyosore Salihu Ajao, says the paucity of dead corpses is harming the study of anatomy and its attendant advantages in Nigeria.
Speaking at the university’s 214th Inaugural Lecture, Moyosore noted that one of the distinctive aspects of studying Anatomy at most schools is the lack of “raw materials” required for practical sessions.
“They are never offered in the market in any area of the world,” the expert added, according to Independent, alluding to the availability of d#ad bodies for research.
Because human anatomy is the science that studies the human body’s structures, these structures cannot be fully comprehended through written descriptions, dimensional drawings, or plastic models.
The dissection of the human body (cadavers) is the basis for understanding the structure and functions of the human body for several centuries. In other words, to fully understand the importance of cadavers to man is far and beyond what we should overlook.
The first major challenge I noticed on my assumption of office as a young lecturer in the department of anatomy was the chronic shortages of cadavers in the department and after a quick check on other universities, I discovered that we are not alone in the struggle to get bodies fit enough for dissection.
One of my studies revealed that about 12 to 15 students used a body against International Standard that recommend maximum of six students to one body. The National Universities Commission recommends an average of eight students per body in Nigeria.”
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