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Thousands of people, mainly from the North-east of Scotland, have played a crucial role in the training of our medical professionals.
For over a century, public-spirited individuals have taken the decision to leave their bodies to the advancement of medicine and science - gestures which have provided invaluable training at the University of Aberdeen for countless doctors, including postgraduate surgeons in training, as well as radiologists, physiotherapists and others.
Those donors will be honoured tomorrow (Wednesday, October 19) when a special ceremony takes place at the University of Aberdeen's Anatomy Memorial, Trinity Cemetery, Aberdeen at 2.30pm.
Following extensive refurbishment work on and around the Memorial, the service will rededicate the Memorial to those who have given their bodies for the advancement of medicine and science.
The Reverend Easter Smart, Chaplain to the University, will lead the service. Those attending include Dr Ian Stewart, the University's Licensed Teacher of Anatomy; Margaret Moir, the University's Anatomy Bequest Administrator; Dr Jeremy Metters, HM Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland, and Professor Stephen Logan, University Senior Vice-Principal.
There will also be representatives from the University's School of Medical Sciences; students of Anatomy; the University Court; Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.
Public donation of bodies to the University has been continuous since the first Anatomy Act was introduced in 1832. Since the 1920s - when the institution's current system of recording bequests began - more than 2,200 donations have been accepted.
Dr Stewart said: "Medical science has changed markedly since the early 19th century, both in its clinical practice and in its methods of teaching, learning and research.
"However, there remains a strong and continuing need for students to learn the structural organisation of the human body, for which the human body itself still provides the primary, and most valued, means of learning."
The Anatomy Memorial is located in an elevated position in the North-east corner of Trinity Cemetery, as part of the burial plot for those who donated their bodies for anatomical study, and who expressed a wish for their remains to be buried.
A proposal for a memorial was initially put forward to the Factor of Trinity Cemetery in November 1969, by Professor David Sinclair, Regius Professor of Anatomy, on behalf of the Aberdeen Anatomy Act Committee*.
It followed wishes, expressed by next of kin and friends of those who had previously donated their bodies, to have a focal point at which they could lay flowers or otherwise remember.
The project was supported by funds from the Aberdeen Anatomy Act Committee, which included public donations. Additional sums were required and these came from the then City of Aberdeen Corporation and the University. The project was completed in July 1974.
Conservation work was carried out over this summer when the memorial was cleaned, and the surrounding paving replaced. This has prompted the rededication service.
An annual memorial service is held on the first Thursday in May at the University's King's College Chapel, for those whose bodies have been donated during the previous year.
This is attended by students of Anatomy, both medical and science, members of Anatomy staff, HM Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland and senior representatives of the University and the local community. Close relatives and friends of the deceased are also invited.
A book of remembrance containing the names of all those who have donated their bodies to Anatomy is retained within the Anatomy Department.
Anatomy is currently located in Marischal College, but ambitious plans are underway to relocate the department to Foresterhill within the proposed new Matthew Hay Centre – a multi-million pound teaching and learning initiative, involving the University and NHS Grampian.
Anyone interested in donating their body to the Anatomy department should, in the first instance, contact Margaret Moir, Anatomy Bequest Administrator, School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy), Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1YS. Tel: (01224) 274320 / Fax: (01224) 274329. Email: anat@abdn.ac.uk