Abstract

The Pernkopf Topographical Anatomy of Man is widely regarded as one of the most anatomically precise atlases ever produced, yet it remains indelibly tainted by its origins in Nazi Germany and its reliance on the bodies of executed victims of the Third Reich. This article revisits the historical, ethical and legal context surrounding the compilation and continued existence of the Pernkopf Anatomy Atlas. It situates the Atlas within a broader history of medical experimentation, and the procurement of human remains, while distinguishing premodern practices from the systematic, state-sanctioned atrocities of Nazi medical science. Against this backdrop, the contribution critically examines the complicity of the medical and legal professions in legitimising gross violations of human dignity and bodily integrity. The article further engages with the longstanding international debate concerning the continued use, rejection or conditional acceptance of the Atlas in medical education and practice. Attention is paid to the ethical significance of the Nazi insignia embedded in the original illustrations and to the relationship between medical law and medical ethics when confronted with research derived from unlawful and unethical conduct. Considering recent developments and renewed scholarly engagement with the Atlas, the article considers whether a more nuanced and context-sensitive approach—short of outright prohibition—can be justified. It ultimately argues that any engagement with the Pernkopf Atlas must remain firmly grounded in historical accountability, ethical transparency and respect for the dignity of the victims.