Cadaver

I may be unusual in finding the word 'cadaver' grotesque when it is used to refer to the dead body of someone I knew in life.

I can't think of any situation where you know someone in life and refer to them as a cadaver e.g. family, friends, undertaker, etc.

The medical students will, with a bit of luck, not have known you in life - so you will be a cadaver.

HI Caleo, I can give you some reassuring words with regard to how your body is dealt with . My son and daughter in law have both been through this on their way to becoming doctors. Just after 3 weeks at university they were confronted with their body that they would work with for at least a year.

I did ask questions about how they and their peers were coping and I can assure you the level of respect you'd wish for is there. The bodies, (cadavers to the scientists) are treated very well and gratitude towards the donors is great.

My medical family members went to the local Cathedral for a memorial service for the families of the donors once that part of their learning was done.

It could be worse. A very elderly gentleman friend went to his lady physiotherapist. He could be a bit cheeky in female company. I don't know what transpired between them but apparently she said "Get your carcass up on the couch"!

You see, Zoejory, I like to think that the students will give a thought to the member of the public who donated her dead body. When I am flayed I will still be me, sort of, and I like to think the students will be respectful towards my revealed muscles.

Death is slightly taboo. Words for dead bodies tend to be special to the occasion. 'Cadaver'is okay among scientists. However I am not a scientist but someone who wants to be some little use after death.

For instance an undertaker would call me "the deceased". I think if the undertaker called me "the cadaver" it would be thought disrespectful. I do believe the scientists might get more cadavers to work with if their public relations were more diplomatic.

Yes, I think you might be unusual. Cadaver is the word commonly used.

A cadaver is a dead body, especially a dead human body. The word cadaver is sometimes used interchangeably with the word corpse, but cadaver is especially used in a scientific context to refer to a body that is the subject of scientific study or medical use, such as one that will be dissected.

No need to feel offended.