ANDREAS VESALIUS

A NEW ANATOMY

The work De Humani Corporis Fabrica first appeared in 1543. The title describes anatomy as the structure of the human body. The supplement "Libri Septem" points to the seven parts of the book, which were illustrated with numerous woodcuts.

Vesalius authored the Fabrica when he was only 28 years old, after he had discussed his ideas and findings for many years with his students.

It is a textbook developed from the practical teaching of anatomy and stimulated a lively debate over the contents. Previous teaching, especially that of Galen, had to be reassessed, which sometimes led to vicious reactions from well-known anatomists, including some of Vesalius' own esteemed teachers.

In 1555, the Fabrica appeared in a second, revised edition. In the meantime, Vesalius had dissected many bodies - anatomical dissections had been officially permitted since the late middle ages - and new knowledge had been acquired. He corrected some inaccuracies or misstatements, some findings about the female body and pregnancy. In this edition, the distance from Galen's school has increased perceptibly.