The Pathological Anatomy collection, currently preserved at the PROMISE Department “G. D’Alessandro” in the premises of the former Institute of Pathological Anatomy, includes specimens in liquid, a case of animal pathology with a taxidermized two-headed lamb and an osteological specimen of an acromegalic and is currently the most representative collection of foetal-perinatal malformation pathology in the Italian anatomopathological museum context.
The specimens, preserved inside the original cabinets, are representative of both the original collection and acquisitions in subsequent periods. An evaluation of the dwelling liquid of the specimens in liquid was carried out and it should be noted that, in cases where dehydration has occurred gradually, it is possible to have dried specimens post-fixation that do not require further treatment.

The ancient Palermo collection has origins dating back to 1838. It was set up by Prof. Gorgone, professor of Anatomy and founder of the Surgical Clinic of Palermo, who in 1830 began to collect mainly liquid specimens, especially of malformative pathology, setting up at his own expense a collection of preparations for educational purposes for his course in Pathological Anatomy. The specimens currently number around 400 and are mostly in good condition of conservation.

Today the work of cataloguing the specimens is underway, a preliminary assessment of the conservative interventions and an assessment for a restoration intervention of the acromegalic has been made, but the collection requires urgent recovery work with a precise operational organisation based on the need to restore the optimal conditions of conservation and exhibition use of the preparations aimed at the musealization of the specimens. The project, currently underway, aims to conduct an in-depth analysis to reconstruct the history and extent of the finds, with the aim of understanding their characteristics and laying the foundations for the creation of a museum itinerary. The latter would have the aim of enhancing and preserving the important legacy of the School of Pathological Anatomy of Palermo.