Anatomy for Beginners

Synopsis

Controversial anatomist Dr Gunther von Hagens and pathologist Professor John Lee conduct a series of anatomy classes. As von Hagens performs dissections on real human bodies, Professor Lee explains the intricacy and science of human design and lifts the lid on the mysteries of our own bodies. In each programme, von Hagens performs a human dissection, focusing on different anatomical systems involved in various bodily functions, such as a thought, a heartbeat or the digestion of food. Filmed before an invited audience in Germany, the programmes use a variety of visual aids, including human models, skeletons, plastinates and illustrations, to explain everything you could want to know about the human body. The four 40-minute parts cover movement,circulation, digestion and reproduction.

1 Movement - In the first programme von Hagens dissects a man he met several times to explain how we move. After removing his entire skin in one piece, von Hagens demonstrates the muscles of the arms and legs. He then opens the skull, slices the brain and removes the spinal cord and sciatic nerve in one long piece.
2 Circulation - Reveals the workings of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Dr von Hagens demonstrates the inflation and deflation of the lungs and explores the vascular system by slicing open the heart and injecting artificial blood into the veins.
3 Digestion - Demonstrates the working of the digestive system through Dr von Hagens’ dissection of a woman’s body. He demonstrates the passage of a mouthful of food down the oesophagus and removes the entire abdominal block from the tongue all the way to the anus and, after dissecting all the organs along the digestive tract, unravels it to its full length of seven metres.
4 Reproduction - Dr von Hagens dissects a man and a woman to reveal their reproductive systems. Following the path of the sperm from the testis, along the vas deferens and out of the penis, he picks up their journey inside the female dissection specimen where he dissects her uterus and finally demonstrates how a baby passes through the pelvis.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2010

Year of production

2005

Notes

Broadcast on C4 in four parts, beginning 25/1/2005

Subjects

Biology; Medical sciences

Keywords

anatomy - human; circulatory system; digestive system; dissection procedures; human biology; movement control; reproductive system; respiratory system

Online availability

URI

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/anatomy-for-beginners/4od

Price

free

Delivery

Streamed

Credits

Contributor

Gunther van Hagens; John Leee

Sponsor

Name

Channel 4

Distributor

Name

4OD

Web

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od External site opens in new window