The study of the human anatomy predominantly requires the use of remains of the dead. Unclaimed bodies are easily available in India; however, there is a lack of clear ethical guidelines governing their transport and exchange. We raise pertinent questions about the ethical implications of using unclaimed bodies in teaching anatomy, their transport, transfer and storage, ethical and legal issues regarding the voluntary donation of bodies and dry human bones, as well as the commercial aspects of body donation. We also examine existing practices in anatomy departments in India, and explore the available legal safeguards. We detail practical and ethical challenges in the existing practices and safeguards and attempt to provide solutions.

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Examination of the placenta after the third stage of labour, is something oft mentioned in textbooks but often neglected in the clinical setting. Placental examination can give the clinician important insights as to events and exposures the fetus has been subjected to in -utero.Aims & Objectives: To assess the incidence of anomalies observed in term placentae and umbilical cords of parturients in a teaching hospital. Design: We collected term placentae from parturients in the labour ward, and subjected them to a thorough gross examination with a view to pick up anomalies. We subjected the umbilical cord to histologic examination in cases where an anomaly in the cord was detected on gross examination. Participants: Placentae of 92 term parturients. Setting: Anatomy department of a Medical College in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Main Outcome Measure: To report the incidence of placental and cord anomalies. Results: We found 1 succenturiate lobe of placenta, one dilated umbilical vein, one case of single umbilical artery and 2 velamentous insertions of the umbilical cord (both as one of the two in a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy). Conclusion: Anomalies of the placenta and umbilical cord were observed in 5.43% of parturients. Our study emphasises the importance of careful observation of the umbilical cord and placenta after delivery.

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This highlights the importance of utilizing premortem imaging to help guide the postmortem dissection and documentation of a posterior fossa cyst.