ANDREAS VESALIUS

Prepared by: Rioneslyn C. Novio

 Born: 31 December 1514
 Died: 15 October 1564 (aged 49)

 An anatomist, physician and author of one of

the most influential books on human
anatomy: De humani corporis fabrica ( On the
Fabric of the Human Body)

 Founder of modern anatomy

People Behind the Success of Vesalius
 Everard van Wesel (grandfather) – Royal
physician of Emperor Maximillian
 Anders van Wesel (father) – serve as

apothecary to Maximillian
- enrolled him in the Brethren of the
Common Life
 Jacques Dubois
 Galen
 Jean Fernel
Accomplishments of Vesalius
 Vesalius traveled through Italy, and assisted
the future Pope Paul IV and Ignatius of Loyola
 healing those afflicted by Hansen’s disease
 (leprosy).
 Vesalius published his first anatomical

text,Tabulae Sex, in 1538 through Johan van

Calcar
 He created detailed illustrations of anatomy

for students in the form of six large woodcut

anatomical posters.
Accomplishments of Vesalius
 In 1539 he also published his Venesection
letter, on bloodletting.
 Vesalius disproved Galen's assertion that the
lower jaw (mandible) was composed of two
bones.
 In 1543, Vesalius conducted a public

dissection of the body of Jakob Karrer von

Gebweiler, a notorious felon from the city
of Basel, Switzerland.
Scientific Findings of Vesalius
--Vesalius conducted intense observations on
the following organ systems:

 Skeletal System
 Muscular system
 Vascular and circulatory systems
 Nervous system
 Abdominal organs
 Vesalius was a supporter of 'parallel
dissections' in which an animal cadaver and a
human cadaver are dissected simultaneously
in order to demonstrate the anatomical
differences and thus uncover Galenic errors.

 In addition to his continual efforts to study

anatomy he also worked on medicinal
remedies and came to such conclusions as
treating syphilis with chinaroot.
Significance of his Findings in his
Time
 Corrections of the traditional beliefs about
the human anatomy.
 Vesalius’s work was part of one of the earliest

known public health programs.

 Elimination of Bubonic Plague
Significance of his Findings in the
Modern World of Medicine
 Complete understanding of the human
anatomy
 Doctors also have the complete knowledge of

treating their patient’s body