Get to the heart of the matter this Valentine’s Day

February 14 may be the most romantic day of the year, but as metaphorical hearts swell with love this Valentine’s Day a real one will be dissected in the name of science.

Members of the public, including couples looking for an alternative way to spend Valentine’s, are invited to attend an animal heart dissection conducted by an expert from the University of Dundee at the city’s Malmaison Hotel from 6-8pm on Wednesday 14 February.

Claire Cunningham, Mortuary Technician at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID), will conduct the dissection to allow people to find out more about this most miraculous of organs

“It’s time to see where the real heartstrings are,” she said. “As we approach Valentine’s Day, images of hearts are everywhere, but how much do people actually know about the real thing keeping us alive? This gave us the idea of offering people something different to do this Valentine’s Day so we are inviting members of the public to come and see how blood enters the heart, understand how it beats and learn how this can all change.

“As our dissection will include a real animal heart, discretion is advised. Those who don’t wish to see the dissection can step out at that point and, and although young people are welcome at the event, they should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.”

The event is ticketed, with limited spaces available, and all proceeds will be donated to the British Heart Foundation.

The event is part of a nationwide series of ‘Anatomy Nights’ organised by Hull York Medical School and the University of Edinburgh and intended to give members of the public the opportunity to learn all about the human body.

Anyone interested in attending the Dundee event can book tickets at www.tinyurl.com/AnatomyNights/.   


For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk