The human body has been collected for medical research and teaching during the last few centuries, and body parts have been prepared, preserved and conserved.

The exhibition ‘The Body Collected’ presents for the first time a large selection of historical collections of human remains from the 18th century to now. The oldest specimens come from research collections of fetuses, skeletons, bones, organs, and histological samples. The latest arrival are biopsies, cells, and DNA, as preserved in biobank freezers. The collections have switched focus as our understanding of health and disease are improved, and as a consequence of technological advances.

The exhibition reflects the story of how medical science zooms its way into the body. First, the whole body is shown, then organs, tissue, cells and finally molecules. Although modern biomedicine operates on a microscopic and molecular level, it is still access to material from the human body that makes the basis of new knowledge.

You can read more about the ideas behind the exhibition in this blog post by associate professor Karin Tybjerg.

The exhibition contains human body parts, which were once conserved, so they could be used for teaching and research.

Read the blog post from head of collections and buildings Ion Meyer on the choice of objects (in Danish)

The organic specimens exhibited in ‘The Body Collected’ are very light-sensitive. To ensure that they are not damaged by light, it is necessary to keep lights dimmed. The exhibition lighting has been designed by light experts, conservators, and architects in collaboration in order to find methods and colours that keep the specimens safe while still allowing visitors to see them. The fonts have been specifically chosen as they are easily read in dim light.

Everyone is welcome in Medical Museion’s exhibitions, including children. It is, however, important to note that human bodies and body parts are exhibited. Some of the specimens are graphic and caution is advised. We recommend that children visit the exhibition only in the company of adults.

Here, you can flip through the exhibition catalogue. It can be bought at the museum or in our online museum shop.

Here, we have collected the blog posts we have written on the exhibition.

The exhibition is a result of a collaboration between curators, researchers and many others. For more information on the exhibition, please contact associate professor Karin Tybjerg karin.tybjerg@sund.ku.dk / +45 5363 7951.

See who have contributed in the exhibition colophon below.