Whose museum? The benefit of anatomical museums to society

Public History Student Blog

Because of their long history, most anatomical museums slowly transformed into museums of the history of anatomy. By displaying their collections the original way, visitors can learn how people thought of these specimen in the past. The anatomical collection of the Museum of Anatomy and Pathology in Radboud UMC is different. They only started collecting anatomical specimen in 1952, when the medical faculty was founded. I visited the museum and spoke with Lucas Boer, curator since 2012, about what makes his collection unique and what role he sees for the museum in society.

Education by aesthetics and respect

When I entered the museum the first thing I noticed was how spacious and elegant everything looked. Because of the 50th anniversary, a book was published in which was explained that the aesthetic value of the way the collection was being presented has been a central point ever since the museum was founded.[1] Professor Huub Lammers, who initiated the founding of the museum, was convinced that by studying the human anatomy, students would not only increase their knowledge, but also their respect for the human body. This respect would be amplified when the human anatomy was presented carefully and in an aesthetical way. When looking at the anatomical subjects this aesthetic approach becomes clear. All specimen are displayed in glass cubes, and positioned in a spatially way so all anatomic components can be studied in the best way possible. You can walk around most objects, so you can view them from all angles. Lucas explains that they want to show everything in the best possible way, because this allows visitors to learn most.  

An example of the way the anatomical collection is displayed

Lucas tells me that the way the collection is presented is the greatest strength of the museum, and what distinguishes it from other anatomical museums, such as the Anatomic Museum in Leiden and Museum Vrolik. The specimen their collections consist of are much older, and of high scientific and historical value because nowadays they never would be made like this. This value also has its disadvantages. These old specimen were often presented in pots, in a position that makes them difficult to study. This is even more the case when they are presented in the traditional  ‘cabinets of curiosities’. Lucas doesn’t agree with this way of presenting, because it doesn’t do justice to the specimen and their educational purposes.

An example of the way the anatomical collection is displayed

‘The most open anatomical museum in the Netherlands’

It was quite an adventure for me to find the museum. It is located in the midst of the medical faculty on university campus. Later, while walking through the permanent exhibition, I noticed that most objects are accompanied by signs that give additional information. However, the language used consists of a lot of jargon and they were only in Dutch. The question arises how accessible the museum is for a broad and international audience.

When I ask Lucas about the target audience he determinedly answers ‘everyone’. According to his vision, the museum should have a central place in society, and serve as big a public as possible. When asked about the information signs he explains that the vast majority of visitors receive extra information in the form of guided tours given by trained  medical students. The tours can be adjusted to the needs of the visiting group, and they can also be given in English or German. Most groups consists of students from medical studies from mbo and hbo, for whom a visit to the museum is an essential part in their education. Other groups consist of high school and even elementary school students (for whom they have some sort of scavenger hunt). To make sure as much people as possible are able to visit the museum, admission is free, and it is opened 5 days a week. In comparison: the Anatomic museum in Leiden can be visited by the broad public only 2 days a year. So his museum is literally the most open, he jokes. In total, around 24.000 people visit the museum every year.

The museum in society

The pin-board

A great example of his view of what the museum should be like can be found next to the teratological collection, that consist mostly of foetuses with severe dysmorphologies or rare birth defects. There is a public debate about if it is ethical for museums to have these sort of collections. Lucas has placed a pin-up board that invites visitors to leave cards on which they have written their opinion about the fact that these specimen are being displayed in the museum. By leaving their own opinion, and reading those of others, he wanted to create some sort of ethical debate. He explains that it’s important that museums not only present information to their visitors, but also listen to and learn from them.

Furthermore, Lucas thinks that the museum could be a positive addition to the treatment of patients in the hospital, by give them ‘personal patient education’: In some cases, doctors could bring their patients to the museum when they have given a diagnosis, to better explain to them what the problem is. He spoke doctors about this, and they thought it would be great, given they had the capacity to do this. Later, I spoke with a medical student who worked at the museum. He told me that a little while ago a patient in a wheelchair came to the museum. He had a kidney-disease, and asked if they had this in the museum. This example illustrates that the demand already exists, hopefully the supply will follow.


In my opinion, this museum is a great example of a museum that is trying to be as beneficial to society as a whole as possible. The fact that it is hidden on campus makes that it can only be found by those who search for it, which is a shame. The bright side of this is that the museum is close to the patients, what broadens the possibilities for future additional patient-care.

Ine de Win

[1] Joop van der Straaten, Lucas Boer en Dirk Ruiter, Ontleed in verwondering. 50 jaar Museum voor Anatomie en Pathologie (Nijmegen, 2017).

169 thoughts to “Whose museum? The benefit of anatomical museums to society”

  1. What strikes me about this museum is all the free space. I visited Museum Vrolik, which was filled to the brim with objects, whereas this Museum displays similar objects which a lot of more space around it. I imagine it does not quite have the ambiance Museum Vrolik does, but I do think this is easier to look at, since it is put on display in such a normal way. Of course, these objects are less old: the limited room for the babies in the bottles at Museum Vrolik made it hard to look at sometimes. Surprisingly, from what I saw in the photo’s, this is much more tranquile. I like how you were able to catch on a certain mission of the museum and its connection to society. This is an interesting angle when I think back of our conversation with the director of Museum Vrolik. We might just have asked the wrong questions, but our conversation was much more focused on the inside of the museum and not so much its place in the world.

  2. Hello,

    0day Electro Scene Music: http://0daymusic.org

    *Choose payment method: BitCoin, Bank wire, WesternUnion, MoneyGram, Google Wallet, Webmoney.
    *IP restrictions: 3 IP addresses per user at the same time.
    *Overal server’s speed: 1 Gb/s.
    *Easy to use: Most of genres are sorted by days.
    *Server’s capacity: 126 TB 1990-2019.
    *More 11 years Of Archives.
    *No Waiting Time, No captcha,No Speed Limit, No Ads.
    *Never Deleted Scene Albums, Labels, Save Time And Money.
    *Updated On Daily: 20GB-50GB, 300-700 Albums 0-day WEB, Promo, CD, CDA, CDM, CDR, CDS, EP, LP, Vinyl…
    *Up Time: 99%
    *All Genre: House, Club, Techno, Trance, Dance, Italo-Dance, Eurodance, Drum and Bass, Psychedelic, Goa, PsyTrance, Progressive House, Electro, Euro-House, Club-House, Hardtechno, Tech-House, Dutch House, Minimal, Deep-House, Nu-Disco, Hardstyle, Hardcore, Jumpstyle, Electronic, Alternative, Alternative Rock, Ambient, Avantgarde, Ballad, Bass, Beat, Black Metal,Blues, Classical, Chanson, Country, Dance Hall, Death Metal, Disco, Ethnic, Folk, Folk-Rock, Funk, Gangsta Rap, Gothic Rock,Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Indie, Industrial, Instrumental, Jazz, Jungle, Pop, Rock, Metal, Latin, Lo-Fi, New Age, Noise, Oldies, Pop-Folk, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Punk Rock, Rap, Reggae, R&B, Rock & Roll, Soul, Soundtrack, Speech, Synthpop, Thrash Metal, Top 40, Vocal etc.
    *Account delivery time: 1 to 48 hours.

    Privat FTP 1990-2019:

    Plan A: 20 EUR – 300 GB – 30 dagar
    Plan B: 45 EUR – 900 GB – 90 dagar
    Plan C: 80 EUR – 2500 GB – 180 dagar

    Regards,
    0DAY Music

  3. When Will Dapoxetine Be Available? Priligy Au Sri Lanka [url=http://try-rx.com]cialis 5mg best price[/url] Zithromax Headache Buy Cheap Synthroid No Prescription

  4. Rush Limbaugh, Americas Anchorman and Doctor of Democracy, is known as the pioneer of AM radio. Limbaugh revolutionized the media and political landscape with his unprecedented combination o f
    [url=http://howtogetpregnantfast.cf/art/how-to-get-a-female-pregnant-fast1/]How to get a female pregnant fast[/url]

  8. Hey, If you are looking for Facebook Mod Apk or If you want the Hack Version of Facebook App With Pro Features Unlocked, Messenger enabled inside the app. No need for a separate messenger app!. then you are here at the right place, in this post we will share with you Facebook Mod Apk (v258.0.0.45.158) Latest Version.

    Facebook Mod Apk

  18. Thanks for this amazing opportunity to work with you and your team for the update and I will provide you with the information you need to get.

  19. What strikes me about this museum is all the free space. I visited Museum Vrolik, which was filled to the brim with objects, whereas this Museum displays similar objects which a lot of more space around it.

  29. Online casinos review will help you to know more about the sports betting online: 경마사이트인포 You can know about the casinos where you can play the games safely and securely?
    Obviously, on the off chance that you are at the casino at any rate, you presumably have a superior possibility of succeeding at an aptitude game than a game where you depend totally on shot, so this may be a fun choice for you.

  31. Hi there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most
    blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    주식디비

  32. Hi there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most
    blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.

  33. I think the website is great, looks wonderful and very easy to follow. Love having this conversation that I can make and that we can express our opinion to your content. Thanks
    유출픽

  34. You might try adding a video or a picture or two to grab people excited about everything’ve written. Just my
    opinion, it would bring your posts a little livelier.
    토토

  41. Greetings I am so glad I found your weblog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Bing for something else,
    Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a incredible post and a all round interesting blog.고스톱

  44. I need to to thank you for this very good read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new stuff you post… Look at my homepage. 토토

  45. Hi there, I found your website via Google while looking for a related topic, your web site came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.섯다

  47. I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
    I loved your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
    먹튀검증

  63. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get anything
    done. 고스톱

  64. you’rе in point of fact a jyst right webmaster.The website loading vel?city iss amazing.
    It seems that you’rе doing any unique tr?ck. In addition, The contents are masterpiece.
    you have done a wonderful activity in thi? subject! 먹튀검증

  65. Good activity, cheers

    Here’s a very good web-to-food verification site, but would you like to know if you’re familiar with the user discussion forum covering the same topics we discussed here?I want to be part of a group that can receive feedback from other experienced people of the same interest.Let me know if you have any recommendations. Bless you!

    토토

  66. I do trust all the ideas you have offered to your post.
    They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for newbies.
    May yoou please extend thdm a bit feom subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.
    슬롯머신

  67. When your of succeeds, you get ahead too. You aren’t in tourney with each other to form who can systematize more money. You apportion each other’s ups and downs, and that shouldn’t be any other when it comes to your finances. When your sidekick gets a evolution or at one’s hands on, meet on how fastidious she’s worked to and words there and cut in the blow-out with her.
    먹튀검증

  68. Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!
    토토사이트

  72. Greetings I am so glad I found your weblog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Bing for something else,
    Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a incredible post and a all round interesting blog.
    카지노사이트

  74. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blοg.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to gеt thаt “perfect balance” betwaeеn superb usability. 고스톱

  80. Hi! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have got right here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon. my web site. 토토

  81. you’rе in point of fact a jyst right webmaster.The website loading vel?city iss amazing.
    It seems that you’rе doing any unique tr?ck. In addition, The contents are masterpiece.
    you have done a wonderful activity in thi? subject! 섯다

  89. Online casinos and Toto sites are very convenient alternatives for players who do not have the resources or desire to travel to a real casino. Most online casinos and toto sites add to the freedom of gameplay through the mobile Internet. With the new approach to casino entertainment, players have questions about more mobile sports game features. Casino site 777.info asks the most common questions and gives players insight.
    looking for online casite site? we highly recommended this 100% trusted site and one of the most best site in online casino, if your interested feel free to visit our web site for more information by clicking here 온라인카지노

  92. Excellent post however I was wanting to know if you сould write a litte more on this subjects I’d be very gгateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Many thanks! looking for online casite site? we highly recommended this 100% trusted site and one of the most best site in online casino, if your interested feel free to visit our web site for more information by clicking here 바카라사이트

  93. Hi, just wanted to tell you, I loved this blog post. It was practicаl. Keep on posting! For those online casino fanatics, we highly recommeded this 100% trusted site of ours! One of the most trusted site among other online casino site. this 100% proven and tested. If you guys looking for fun and if you guys interested, feel free to visit to our website, feel free to ask . kindly click here 토토
    . Try you luck now, We asure you will Have the fun and and joy your looking for!

  111. Wow, incredible weblog structure! How lengthy have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. looking for online casino site? we highly recommended this 100% trusted site and one of the most best site in online casino, if your interested feel free to visit our web site for more information by clicking here 바카라사이트

    Online casinos and Toto sites are very convenient alternatives for players who do not have the resources or desire to travel to a real casino. Most online casinos and toto sites add to the freedom of gameplay through the mobile Internet. With the new approach to casino entertainment, players have questions about more mobile sports game features. Casino site 777.info asks the most common questions and gives players insight.

  112. For the purposes of in-play betting, customers should be aware that transmissions described as “live” by some broadcasters may actually be delayed or pre-recorded. The extent of any delay may vary depending on the set-up through which they are receiving pictures or data. Please also be aware that, for operational reasons, bet requests made in-play may take slightly longer to process. 스포츠토토

  115. Which Toto Site recommender should I use?
    A lot of Toto Site recommenders are emerging.
    Usually, most of the recommended companies are banner companies that register for a fee, or distributors who receive profits. Choose and use an influential and strong referral company. 토토사이트
    For Totosite, they cannot be ignored or ignored.
    You can contact us at any time and if you have a problem, you can use a referral company that mediates right away to help you avoid any unpleasant events. Familiarize yourself with the customer center in advance and receive real-time information from your company.

  116. I think this is among the most significant information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. 고스톱 But wanna remark on some general things, The web site
    style is perfect, the articles is really great : D. Good job,
    cheers

  119. You’re so cool! I don’t believe I have read through something like this before.
    So wonderful to discover another person with some unique thoughts on this
    topic. Seriously.. 스포츠토토 thanks for starting this up.
    This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!

  127. “Do the simple math,” said Dr. Larry Corey of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, who is leading the team coordinating clinical trials for federally backed coronavirus vaccines in the US.
    디비판매

  129. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have an answer before then: If one of the vaccines being tested is highly effective, and there is a high rate of infection among trial volunteers, it’s possible many people who got placebo shots would get infected quickly.

    디비

  131. Facing a persistent polling deficit and a struggling economy, US President Donald Trump has cranked up pressure on administration health officials to expedite work both on a coronavirus vaccine and on treatments that might signal to voters there is an end in sight to the life-altering pandemic that has imperiled his reelection prospects.

    디비판매

  136. Victoria had a significant rise in cases over August, with many new infections in aged-care homes and among health care workers. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a state of emergency on August 3.

    디비

  138. Beginning next Wednesday, Clark County restaurants with countertop services, including diners and sushi restaurants, will be able to reopen with social distancing. Bars and taverns that don’t serve food must remain closed.

    db판매

  139. Despite a substantial drop in new daily cases statewide over the last month, “We have a long way to go considering the fact that we started out so high,” Gov. Steve Sisolak said in a Thursday briefing.

    디비판매

  143. A New Jersey attorney was arrested Thursday for scamming $9 million in federal loans meant to help small businesses survive the economic climate caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

    디비

  144. Jae Choi, 48, is facing three counts of bank fraud and one count of money laundering in federal court for allegedly applying to three different lenders for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.

    재테크디비

  146. Choi allegedly used the money to buy a nearly one million-dollar home, a $30,000 home remodel and invested millions more in the stock market through an account held in the name of his spouse, the release added.

    fx디비

  148. In early August, every region in Michigan saw an uptick in new cases which recently put Michigan past the 100,000 Covid-19 cases mark, though the state’s percent positivity rate remains below the national average at 3.3%, the release said.

    로또디비

  159. แหล่งรวบรวมคาสิโนออนไลน์ที่ใหญ่ที่สุด พนันรูปแบบใหม่ @vegusgold

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.