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Andreas Vesalius: Anatomy And Physiology

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Andreas Vesalius Research Paper
A quote from an article from the University of Michigan states, “few disciplines are more surely based on the work of one man than is Anatomy on Vesalius” (“Andreas”). Andreas Vesalius spent the majority of his life working steadfast towards improvements in anatomy and physiology (“An Anatomist”, Florkin, “Vesalius”). Vesalius’ work changed the face of anatomy and biology as the world knew it using unthought-of methods and new discoveries. Andreas Vesalius was born in nowadays Brussels, Belgium in December 1514 (“An Anatomist”, Florkin, Mauritsbiesbrouck, “Vesalius”). Most of his life was dedicated to writing the De Humani Corpis Fabrica Libri Septem (“The Seven Books on the Structure of the Human Body”), …show more content…

It is thought that Vesalius may have chosen his field to carry on his family’s traditional profession (“Vesalius”). Veselius’ first college he attended was the Catholic University of Leuven (Florkin, “Vesalius”). He went on to attend the University of Padua for his medical doctorate (M.D.) (“Andreas”, Florkin). After his talents had been discovered he went on to tour and teach at various colleges including his old alumna maters and the University of Paris (Florkin, “Vesalius”). His eagerness for learning lead him to excel in his field of choice and many people have benefitted from his discoveries. Andreas Vesalius contributed much of anatomy and physiology to the biology community during his lifetime. He changed the field of medicine from Galenic to his own (Florkin). Vesalius was the first to actually cut into cadavers because of Roman religion. Galenical medicine “patent(ed) falsities” because of this limitation and could no longer be considered accurate (“Anatomy”, Florkin). Many of his major contributions were around the 1540s (Florkin). ()()()()()()(Maybe talkabout where he got the …show more content…

Galenic teachings were created by Claudius Galenus who followed the rules of Roman religion when making his discoveries, which lead to many errors in his teachings since Roman religion would not allow the use of cadavers (“Andreas”). All that was known about anatomy and physiology were the teachings of Galenus, which were incorrect (“Anatomy”, Florkin). Before Galenus there was even less knowledge on medicine. Medicine was based on, mostly, the teachings of Hipocrates before Galenus which proved even less reliable but still laid a sturdy foundation for medicine (“Anatomy”, Florkin). Although Vesalius found many inaccuracies in Galenus’ work, his own work contained many as well. Which, over time, were corrected as well. Before Vesalius research was soley abstract based or based on observations of other mammals and cutting into cadavers was prohibited (Florkin, “Turney”). Now, surgeries, which require cutting, save lives every day. Without Vesalius the advancements in anatomy and physiology would be less progressed. Vesalius’ efforts have not gone ignored. Although, Vesalius has not been awarded any awards he has had a college in his hometown of Brussels named after him

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