A study was carried out to determine the attitudes of medical students to cadaver dissection. All second-year students were asked to complete a questionnaire and two visual analogue scales. The mean of the predissection and postdissection anxiety level were respectively 35.2 ± 25.4 and 16.5 ± 19.5. There was a significant difference between pre- and postdissection anxiety perception level (t=6.103; p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in state anxiety during the time spent in the dissection room. The level of the anxiety, which had prior experience with a dead, was lower (t=2.574, p=0.012).