Gross anatomy specimens like used to teach med students are definitely preserved. That's basically a requirement when you're going to use the same body through

Gross anatomy specimens like used to teach med students are definitely preserved. That's basically a requirement when you're going to use the same body through-out a course that takes 6 months to a year. I don't have any specific experience with these sorts of cadaver labs, but I can tell you that preserved flesh looks and responds quite a bit differently than live tissue. Especially if you're trying to teach surgical techniques, I can see the benefit of using a cadaver that hasn't been chemically preserved.