This communication commemorates the 80th birthday of Prof. Dr. Gunther von Hagens, situating his work within the long trajectory of transformations that have reshaped anatomy from the Renaissance to the present day. The invention of plastination in 1977 marked a decisive turning point in the preservation, study, and teaching of the human body by introducing curable polymers that enabled durable, biosecure specimens of high scientific value, thereby substantially expanding the scope of modern anatomical analysis. The text links von Hagens’ personal trajectory, shaped by adversity, resistance, and innovation, to his scientific impact, emphasizing plastination not as a replacement for classical dissection but as a complementary approach that enhances clinical, surgical, and topographical anatomical study with unprecedented precision. It also examines the academic and cultural reach of Body Worlds as an extension of anatomical discourse into society, reopening ethical and epistemological debates on the human body. Finally, the manuscript underscores von Hagens’ enduring legacy, understood as part of a continuous anatomical revolution in which the discipline renews itself without abandoning its historical foundations, reaffirming its scientific, educational, and humanistic relevance.

The aim of this study was to describe the superior approach to the orbit and provide a detailed procedural guide, offering an accurate anatomical description of the region and its correlations within the surgical field. This descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted on five adult cadaver heads fixed in 10% formaldehyde. Dissections were performed using standard surgical instruments, adequate lighting, and magnification to optimize the visualization of orbital structures. A clear and detailed visualization of the orbital anatomy was achieved through the superior approach. The eyeball, extraocular muscles, and vascular and neural components were precisely identified and described. These findings allowed the formulation of a step-by-step guide to the superior orbital approach, providing relevant information on the spatial relationships of orbital contents to ensure safe and reproducible dissection. This anatomical study offers a valuable reference for surgical professionals, presenting a thorough description of key orbital structures and their interrelations. The results contribute to improving anatomical understanding and support the development of safer and more effective surgical techniques for approaching the orbital region.

The approach to the anterior and middle cranial fossae poses significant challenges for neurosurgeons due to the numerous critical structures encountered in this region. The orbitozygomatic approach (OZA), developed as an extension of the pterional approach (PA), allows access not only to the anterior and middle cranial fossae but also to the orbit. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the regional anatomy is essential to minimize surgical risks. The objective of this study is to describe the anatomy of the OZA, emphasizing the anatomical landmarks relevant to the approach. This study was conducted using five cadaveric heads preserved in 5% formalin, one dry skull, standard dissection instruments, a drill and Gigli saw, a high-speed drill, and a high-resolution camera. A stepwise, layer-by-layer dissection was performed to detail the anatomical features of the approach. The OZA provides broad access to the cranial fossae and orbit with reduced brain retraction, thereby minimizing potential damage to the parenchyma and surrounding neurovascular structures. Dissection began with the superficial layers (skin, subcutaneous tissue, temporalis muscle, and skull) to reduce approach-related morbidity. After performing the craniotomy, the temporal and frontal lobes, orbit, and lateral fissure were widely exposed. Dissection of the lateral fissure enabled access to deeper structures via multiple pathways. With meticulous microsurgical technique, this approach creates a wide and practical surgical corridor. However, its complexity lies in the proximity to deep vascular structures, where inadvertent injury may result in significant morbidity and mortality. The OZA is a highly complex approach, requiring extensive anatomical knowledge and practice. Cadaveric dissection provides a three-dimensional and topographic understanding of the neurovascular relationships along the surgical route, thereby enhancing the surgeon’s familiarity with the region and ultimately improving clinical outcomes.

The human cranium is a complex osseous structure whose development is subject to multiple variations, many of which have clinical, radiological, and surgical relevance. One such variation is the presence of the interparietal bone, a structure whose nomenclature and classification have long been the subject of controversy. The present study aims to review the relevant literature and to present the first reported cases of interparietal bones in a Uruguayan population. A literature search on the interparietal bone was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Subsequently, two human crania presenting interparietal bones were analyzed and designated as cranium A and cranium B. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and both specimens were classified according to the classifications proposed by Kandánov and by Hanihara and Ishida. Cranium A presented two interparietal bones, measuring 91 mm and 50 mm in maximum length, respectively, corresponding to type 3C according to the Kandánov and Hanihara and Ishida classification. In contrast, cranium B exhibited a single interparietal bone with a maximum length of 45 mm, corresponding to type 1B. The literature reveals significant discrepancies and inconsistencies regarding the terminology and classification of the interparietal bone. Based on the present analysis, the term “interparietal bone” is considered the most appropriate designation for this structure, and the use of the term “Incaic bone” should be avoided. Considering its developmental origin, the interparietal bone should be regarded as an intercalary bone rather than a Wormian bone. Finally, relevant clinical and demographic aspects of this anatomical variation are discussed.

The differences between the amphitheater and the anatomy laboratory/classroom are presented, acknowledging that amphitheaters originated in ancient Rome, primarily as venues for public gatherings, arising from the need to develop a specific architectural space with distinctive characteristics. These structures were divided into one or more levels of arcades, with an elliptical interior surrounded by seating for spectators arranged in ascending tiers. Centuries later, amphitheaters were adapted into anatomical amphitheaters for the performance of dissections, functioning as large and tall auditoriums designed to accommodate a large number of observers around an appropriate dissection table and equipped with good natural lighting to ensure visibility of these practices. Anatomy laboratories/classrooms eventually ceased to follow these classical teaching models due to the emergence of new technologies for the study of the cadaver.

The gyrus rectus is a core component of the medial orbitofrontal circuit and plays a central role in behavioral inhibition, moral judgment, and impulse control. Alterations in this region have been linked to impulse control disorders, psychopathy, and violent behavior; however, synaptic density in this territory has not been examined in populations with antisocial personality disorder. The aim of this work was to describe structural, functional, and synaptic density differences of the gyrus rectus between individuals with antisocial personality disorder with and without psychopathy. Forty-three individuals with antisocial personality disorder were assessed through psychopsychiatric and neuropsychological examinations, as well as neuroimaging studies (morphometric MRI, 99Tc-ECD SPECT, and 18F-SynVesT-1 PET). Statistical analyses were performed in accordance with current ethical and legal standards. Both groups exhibited significant morphometric and functional alterations. Synaptic reduction was more pronounced in individuals with psychopathy. These findings suggest differential neurobiological patterns of the gyrus rectus, which are relevant for the neuroforensic understanding of inhibitory control and criminal responsibility.