Eduard Pernkopf’s Atlas: morphological innovation and ethical legacy in the history of anatomical illustration

Eduard Pernkopf (1888–1955), a prominent representative of the Viennese Anatomical School, produced one of the most detailed and visually refined anatomical atlases in the history of medicine: Topographische Anatomie des Menschen. Despite its exceptional scientific and artistic value, the Atlas remains deeply controversial because of its association with National Socialist ideology and the probable use of bodies of executed prisoners during its production. This study provides a historical, morphological, and ethical analysis of Pernkopf’s life, scientific work, and enduring influence on anatomical education. Special attention is devoted to the morphological and methodological innovations of Pernkopf’s topographical dissection technique, including his systematic layer-by-layer anatomical stratification and the unprecedented three-dimensional realism of his anatomical illustrations. Through analysis of the historiographical and bioethical literature, the study examines the epistemological significance of Pernkopf’s anatomical method, the historical context of Nazi-era anatomical science, and the ongoing debate regarding the Atlas’s contemporary use. Pernkopf’s Atlas emerges as both a landmark in morphological representation and a lasting ethical warning for the anatomical sciences. Its legacy underscores both the enduring methodological influence of Pernkopf’s topographical anatomical approach and the necessity of integrating scientific excellence with ethical accountability in modern anatomical science.