From Galen to Vesalius: The Evolution of Anatomical Understanding in the Renaissance.
- RPIHEF NGO
- Jun 16
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 7
Original Article, 2025, Volume -1, Issue -1, Page No 56-63
Dr. Sikha Sinha, Department of Anatomy, GMC, Rajasthan
Abstract
This abstract explores the pivotal shift in anatomical understanding during the Renaissance, moving from the long-standing authority of Galen to the revolutionary empiricism of Andreas Vesalius. For over 1,300 years, Galen's anatomical theories, largely based on animal dissections and extrapolated to humans, formed the bedrock of Western medicine. His influence was so pervasive that his texts were often read aloud during dissections, with little direct observation to challenge his assertions. The Renaissance, characterized by a renewed emphasis on humanism, observation, and critical inquiry, provided the fertile ground for a paradigm shift. Figures like Leonardo da Vinci began to conduct human dissections, producing highly accurate anatomical drawings. However, it was Andreas Vesalius, with his monumental work De Humani Corporis Fabrica (1543), who truly ushered in modern anatomy. Vesalius meticulously dissected human cadavers himself, correcting over 200 errors found in Galen's works. His groundbreaking text, accompanied by exquisite and accurate illustrations, emphasized direct observation and experiential learning over unquestioning adherence to ancient authority. This transition from Galenic dogma to Vesalian empiricism fundamentally transformed the study of anatomy, laying the foundation for future advancements in medical science and paving the way for a more accurate understanding of the human body.
Keyword:- Galen, Evolution, Anatomy, Renaissance, History.