Modern Anatomy

Modern Anatomy

1543

What is modern anatomy?

Anatomy: the science dealing with bodily structure

Andreas Vesalius

• founder of modern anatomy
• born in Belgium, 1514
• determined how to properly dissect corpses
• humans = not apes = not pigs
• first to disprove Galen

• Ancient Anatomy ( >160 AD)
• Egyptians
• Greeks
• Medieval Anatomy (160 - 1543 AD)
• Galen
• animals
• Modern Anatomy (1543 AD< )
• Andreas Vesalius
• structure of human body

De Humani Corporis Fabrica

On the Fabric of the Human Body

• published in 1543
• detailed drawings of human anatomy
• fullest descriptions of structure
• debunked theories
• introduced new discoveries

Before Vesalius

Galen: assumed to be correct until Vesalius

• apes and pigs
• claimed there were holes connecting the heart's ventricles
• anatomists said they found these holes for 1400 years
• mandible is made of two bones
• bloodletting

Points Established

• skeletal system is frame
• fullest description of brain
• kidneys filter blood
• heart has two chambers and atria
• canal passes into fetus during pregnancy

Importance of Modern Anatomy

• understanding what is a "normal" body for comparison to injured/diseased to find the problem
• treatment can be made to aim at correct part
• abolish harmful methods (e.g. bloodletting)
• further research on functions/dysfuntions

Theories Proved Wrong

• men have less ribs than women
• sternum has seven parts
• nerves stem from the heart
• nerves are hollow
• uterus has two sections
• hole in heart's septum
• heart controls emotions

The Basel Skeleton

• Vesalius performed a public dissection the same year on a beheaded criminal
• his only well-preserved skeletal preparation
• oldest surviving anatomical preparation in the world

Citations

"500 Years Vesalius: 31 December 2014." Vesalius Fabrica. S. KargerAG, Basek, 2014. Web.

Starr, Douglas. "Bloodletting." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web.

"History of Anatomy." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web.