Rare Porcelain Gallbladder Found in 100-Year-Old Human Remains
A mysterious “porcelain gallbladder” has been discovered inside 100-year-old human remains within a forgotten asylum cemetery. About the size of a “quail egg”, this rare calcified gallbladder was found among thousands of marked and unmarked graves, left undisturbed for decades.
The Uncovering of the Porcelain Gallbladder
The remains housing the porcelain gallbladder were unearthed as part of a project by the University of Mississippi Medical Centre, following the closure of the asylum in 1935. The goal of the team involved in this project is to study the history of the cemetery and transfer the deceased to a more suitable location on campus.
The Oddity of the Porcelain Gallbladder
Described as a stony-beige colored object, similar in size and shape to a quail egg, the porcelain gallbladder was discovered in the middle of the person’s torso. Upon its discovery, various theories abounded among the researchers. It was only when a retired surgeon identified it as a calcified gallbladder that the mystery began to unravel.
Human Calcification Explained
A porcelain gallbladder is a rare and irreversible condition where parts or the entirety of the gallbladder becomes calcified and hardened. While the organ itself doesn’t transform into ceramic, its calcification causes a whitish blue appearance. Calcifications can occur in various parts of the body, including arteries, heart valves, brain, joints, and soft tissues.
The Preservation of the Gallbladder
Despite the expected decomposition of the gallbladder, the calcification process that occurred before the individual’s passing has preserved it for around a century. This phenomenon has intrigued experts like Kurt Schaberg, underscoring the unique nature of the gallbladder’s transformation into a porcelain-like state.
Scientific Exploration
Researchers remain baffled by the exact triggers of chronic inflammation leading to calcification and the preservation of certain body parts like the gallbladder. While the science behind this process remains elusive, the discovery of the porcelain gallbladder sheds light on the fascinating and enigmatic world of human anatomy.