Andreas Vesalius
Founder of Modern Day Anatomy
Background
He was born in to a medical family in 1514 in current day Brussels, Belgium, his father was the pharmacist to Charles V.When he was old enough he moved to the University of Lovain and got basic schooling.Then had to stop mid way during a war between the Holy Roman Empire and France to be a surgeon.Then he moved to Pauda where he achieved his medical Degree.
Achievements
Vesalius was one of the first people to question Galens teachings in 1,300 years. Some things that he helped correct from Galens teachings is that he proved that men did not have one more rib than women and he proved that the nervous system is based out of the brain and not the heart. He was also the first person to accurately map the human body. He published On Fabric of the Human Body.
Interesting Facts
He came from a family of physicians and both his father and grandfather served the Holy Roman Emperor. He was the Court Physician for Charles V and Philip II. He was accused of murder in 1564 for the dissection of a Spanish noble who was still alive. He was also accused of Atheism for proving that men did not have one more rib than women which was against the bibles teachings. His early research with the dissection of cadavers led him to believe oxygen pumped through the veins. Picture to the right is of Charles V.
Impact on Today
His exceptional detailed drawings of the human body changed medical history forever and Students still look back on it. The "Structure of the Human Body"literally tells you what the structure is under the human skin which fixed many mistakes leading to his time. His research lead to other Scientists to find cures to many disease. He was also an example for people in the medical field to double check their work after making his mistake on air pumping through the veins.
Citations
"Andreas Vesalius." Famous Scientists. Famous Scientists, 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. <http://www.famousscientists.org/andreas-vesalius/>.
"Andreas Vesalius." World of Biology. N.p.: n.p., 2006. N. pag. Biography in Context. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/bic1/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=BIC1&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&di>.
"Comparative Anatomy: Andreas Vesalius." Understanding Evolution. U of California Museum of Paleontology., 2 Aug. 2008. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. <http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/history_02>.
January, Brendan. Science in the Renaissance. Canada: Franklin Watts, 1999. Print.