Collection ID: RLML.011
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Byrd, Kenneth E. and Carolina Biological Supply Company
Extent:
1 Item (mounted Beauchene skull with plastic case)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Beauchene Skull, History of Medicine Collection, Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Indiana University School of Medicine

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Prepared using a technique invented by French anatomist and surgeon Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (1780-1830), disarticulated or exploded human skulls have been used primarily for medical education. The exploded skull technique allows the individual bones to be pushed out from the original form and displayed spaced out in an anatomical relative configuration and context so that the various parts can be viewed independently as individual pieces or collectively as a whole skull. This Beauchene skull was manufactured by Carolina Biological Supply Company in Burlington, North Carolina.

Source: Spinner, R.J., Vincent, J.F., & Wolanskyj, A.P. (2011). Discovering the elusive Beauchêne: the originator of the disarticulated anatomic technique. Clinical Anatomy, 24(7), 797–801. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.21267

Scope and Content:

Complete disarticulated ("exploded") human skull separated along suture lines and mounted on a chrome supporting bar attached to rectangular wooden base. Bones are divided into three primary units: cranial, facial, and mandibular. Root structures of teeth are also visible. Includes domed plastic cover.

Custodial history:

Donated to Ruth Lilly Medical Library by Kenneth E. Byrd (Associate Professor Emeritus of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine) on August 10, 2022. Originally purchased by Dr. Byrd in 1981 from Carolina Biological Supply Company in Burlington, North Carolina.

Rules or conventions:
DACS-Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open to the public without restriction.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Beauchene Skull, History of Medicine Collection, Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Indiana University School of Medicine

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Indianapolis
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Indiana University School of Medicine
975 West Walnut Street, IB 307
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Indianapolis
CONTACT:
317-274-7182
medlref@iu.edu