Body donation programs constitute the ethical and educational foundation of anatomical sciences. Rooted in altruism, trust, and professional respect, these programs historically centered on physical dissection within institutional boundaries. However, rapid technological advancements—including plastination, high-resolution 3D scanning, digital archiving, virtual reconstruction, and artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled anatomical modeling—have fundamentally altered the scope of cadaveric use. These developments introduce complex ethical questions regarding informed consent adequacy, digital data governance, commercialization, secondary dissemination, and institutional accountability. This review examines the evolving ethical landscape of body donation in contemporary medical education. Drawing upon comparative institutional practices and professional ethical guidelines, this article argues that stewardship must expand beyond respectful physical handling to encompass responsible digital governance. Variability in consent language, limited transparency regarding digital data retention, and inconsistent oversight mechanisms highlight the need for updated consent frameworks and institutional policies. Ethical stewardship in the twenty-first century requires explicit digital consent provisions, structured data governance protocols, transparent communication with donor families, and standardized accountability measures.

Keywords: Body donation, Digital anatomy, Ethical stewardship, Informed consent, Institutional accountability.