To improve the accessibility of visual, real-life anatomy-based tools for educators by presenting the first video guide for en bloc extraction of the central nervous system (CNS) from a human cadaver donor.

Systems-based dissections of the CNS are often challenging, and plastinated models can be expensive. Our previous work demonstrated that medical students during a neurology clerkship found CNS prosections helpful for visualizing lesion localization and integrating anatomy with clinical neurology (Hlavac et al., 2017).

The 18-minute video provides step-by-step instructions for removing the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, spinal roots, cauda equina, optic nerves, optic tracts, and eyes in one complete piece. Dissections were performed by two cohorts of five anatomy graduate students each, with a mean completion time of 4 hours ± 40 min (SD, n = 10). Statistically significant differences were found between the cohorts in terms of dissection experience and prior craniotomy practice. After dissection, the en bloc CNS extractions were plastinated for long-term preservation using NCSX silicone by the cold temperature von Hagens’ silicone technique.

Both cohorts rated the dissection as highly useful (mean Likert = 4.5 ± 0.5 SD), and 100% recommended it to peers for other students. First-year medical students and first-year neurology residents now use the plastinated models in small-group sessions.

This work demonstrates the feasibility of en bloc CNS dissection and plastination for long-term educational use across multiple levels of medical training. The video instructions offer guidance for other institutions looking to develop durable, high-quality, hands-on neuroanatomy teaching tools.