A human brain dissection – in pictures

A brain ready for dissection at the Brain Bank … I do not know how it feels to be religious, but in the absence of faith, it is impossible not to see this as the hull of your personality. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

After freezing and fixing, the brains have a jaundiced pallor and a pronounced bounce, like pickled eggs. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

The byzantine folds and ridges, the eerie foetal curve, the bloodless blood vessels, all combine to mesmerise. It’s much more dreamlike than disgusting. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Each sliver of lobe must be 5mm thick; they have a special chopping board and a really sharp knife. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

He scalpels out little segments freehand, remarking: 'That's your fear and aggression centre …' Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

I ask Gentleman whether he ever feels squeamish. He says: 'No, not at all,' as if he can only just conceive of what there is to be squeamish about. Photograph: Graeme Robertson

Brain segments dissected and labelled. The research done at the Brain Bank can help us to understand neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Brains: The mind as matter is at the Wellcome Collection, London from 29 March until 17 June wellcomecollection.org/brains Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian