Doctors and researchers are always looking for new ways to study the anatomy of the body, and a California man just helped them by coughing up a blood clot that was the exact shape of his bronchial tree.

The anonymous 36-year-old man had been admitted to the hospital for issues involving end stage heart failure and cardiovascular disease. After being admitted to ICU, doctors connected a device to his heart to help it pump blood throughout his body.

Unfortunately, one of the side effects can be blood clots. For the next several days the man coughed up blood clots. The first were small and cylindrical in shape.

Then after one incredibly harsh coughing spell, the man coughed up the six-inch bronchial cast that has fascinated both medical and non-medical people around the world.

The cast is an exact replica of the inside of the branching air passage in the right side of the man’s lung. The cast was jello-like in consistency and was made up of the man’s blood and mucus from his lungs.

Oddly enough, bronchial casts aren’t as uncommon as you might think. Several have been coughed up over the years, but this one is incredible due to its size and perfect condition.

After the man coughed up the cast, doctors carefully displayed it on a surgical towel and took a photo of it that has been shared around the world. Many people say they’ve never seen anything like this.

Sadly, the patient died a week after coughing up the blood clot, although it was due to the variety of other medical conditions the man suffered from and not related to the incident involving the blood clot.

The doctors say the rare cast hasn’t given away any new medical information, but it shows just how intricate and perfect our anatomy can be. Be sure to share this unique story with your family and friends.