Dr Meryl Broughton is a GP in Albany, WA.

Over her career, she has spent many hours conducting autopsies, where she confronts the fascinating separation of a person from their mortal remains.

The following is an extract from her new book, Autopsies for the Armchair Enthusiast, where she discusses the human heart.

Her book is published by Bad Apple Press and is available at badapplepress.com.au or your local bookstore.