Plastination body conservation

Here is something interesting for anyone interested in a little human anatomy. How about a little Plastination background information for those that were not listening in biology classes?

Plastination is a technique used in anatomy to conserve bodies or body parts. The water and fat are replaced by certain plastics, yielding specimens that can be touched, do not smell or decay, and even retain most microscopic properties of the original sample. [...]

The process of plastination proceeds as follows: the sample is soaked in a solvent such as acetone and the sample’s water (under freezing conditions) and fat are slowly replaced by the solvent. Then the sample is placed in a bath of liquid plastics, such as silicone rubber, polyester or epoxy resins. When a vacuum is generated, the acetone starts to boil, and the liquid plastic takes its place. It is then cured, either with gas, light or heat. Plastinated Human or animal body or organs are known as Plastin(s) or Plastinate(s).

Google has more information on the topic than you might want to divulge in one sitting. Stay away from image results if the thought of seeing the intricacies of the human body from a completely new dimension. Hat tip to Ben.