The Birth and Evolution of Modern Anatomy

Abstract

Andreas Vesalius is considered by many to be the father of modern human anatomy because his work in De Humani Corporis Fabrica shifted anatomical education away from a 1200 year old, hands‐off tradition of analog dissections to a modern humanistic; cadaver center approach. De Humani Corporis Fabrica was revolutionary for artists and anatomists alike because it provided the first accurate, detailed images of human anatomical systems, at a time when most medical texts contained minimal graphical representations. An in depth analysis of Vesalius’ anatomical models reveal a lasting influence his methods have had on modern anatomical practice. With many of the current anatomical dissection methodology and presentation having evolved though Vesalius’ work.The aim of this study was to create a bridge between modern anatomy and its origins within De Humani Corporis Fabrica, with the primary focus on the educational methods that transcended his work and became some of our current teaching methods anatomy.One of Vesalius’ major contributions was the creation of meticulously accurate diagrams that went on to evolve into the models and diagrams that play an essential role in today's anatomical education. This primarily began with his work on the “Muscle Men” plates with the artist Titian. These plates showed his dedication to creating a medium that could innovate the education methods of his time. The “Muscle Men” are a series of anatomical depictions that when placed side‐by‐side show a progressive dissection of a man in the Euganean Hills surrounding the Padua University in Italy. This method of showing progressive dissections is now commonplace in modern anatomy education, but was absent before Vesalius’ work. To show how powerful these can be, the images were digitally stitched together then colorized to show the original panoramic view of the euganean hills.Vesalius’ method of dissection evoked a fundamental shift in anatomical study has carried over 500 years, into the modern anatomical laboratory where instructor‐led student dissections play a major role in teaching anatomy. De Humani Corporis Fabrica provided detailed descriptions of the tools and methods used for the dissections. While many of the protocols and tools have been refined over time their initial incorporation into dissection was largely wrought out of his work.