Dissection guide for en bloc brachial and lumbosacral plexuses and central nervous system

Traditionally anatomy curricula often separate dissections of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nerve plexuses, limiting opportunities for students to appreciate the nervous system as an integrated whole. Viewing the CNS and somatic components together offers the potential to enhance conceptual understanding, spatial reasoning, and clinical correlation. This guide details a step-by-step approach for the en bloc removal of the entire CNS with its associated brachial (C5-T1) and lumbosacral (L1-S4) plexuses. The dissection utilizes standard laboratory tools and follows a logical progression through the limbs, vertebral column, pelvis, and skull. Emphasis is placed on preserving the continuity of neural structures and minimizing damage during bone removal and blunt dissection. The resulting specimen demonstrates the full anatomical continuity from the brain to the terminal branches of the major limb nerves, allowing direct visualization of central-peripheral relationships. This preparation reveals key neuroanatomical pathways within a single integrated structure, potentially providing important teaching and demonstration value for gross anatomy and neuroscience courses. Although this dissection offers substantial pedagogical opportunities, it is not feasible for routine student performance due to its technical complexity and approximately 50-hour time requirement. Prolonged manual dissection and use of bone cutters also pose ergonomic challenges. However, when developed by trained faculty, this specimen may act as a high-impact educational resource that supports advanced neuroanatomical understanding and curriculum integration across medical and graduate anatomy programs.