Cadaveric Findings in Polycystic Kidney Disease: Anatomical and Histopathological Insights: An ECE-Based Learning Experience

Background: Direct observation of end-stage polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in a cadaveric specimen provides a unique, three-dimensional perspective on its profound anatomical disruption, which is often only partially appreciated through clinical imaging. This case report aims to describe the incidental finding of advanced PKD during routine dissection, detail its gross and histopathological features, and discuss its value as a tool for Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) in undergraduate medical education. During the dissection of a 65-year-old male cadaver, both kidneys were found to be massively enlarged and distorted by numerous cysts ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 cm, effacing the normal parenchyma and architecture. Histopathological examination of sampled tissue revealed cystic dilatations of tubular origins lined by flattened epithelium, with intervening fibrosis and atrophy, consistent with end-stage PKD. This case serves as a powerful integrative teaching model, vividly linking foundational anatomical knowledge with pathological principles and clinical outcomes. It underscores the significant educational benefit of incorporating such real pathological specimens into ECE programs to enhance comprehension, retention, and clinical reasoning among first-year medical students. Keywords: Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Cadaveric Study, Renal Pathology, Histopathology, Anatomy, End-Stage Kidney Disease, Early Clinical Exposure (ECE).