Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Dec;52(4):357-368. 10.5115/acb.19.102.

The rich heritage of anatomical texts during Renaissance and thereafter: a lead up to Henry Gray's masterpiece

• Ghosh SK
• Kumar A

• KMID: 2466687
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.19.102

Abstract

The practice of modern human anatomy was started by Vesalius in sixteenth century Europe during the Renaissance. His exploits are documented in his legendary anatomical text De humani corporis fabrica. Remarkable success of De humani encouraged noted anatomists to publish their own texts over the years. Such a cascading effect started an ongoing process of refining the text based presentation of anatomical details that eventually led to the emanation of Gray's Anatomy, the masterpiece from Henry Gray. In this review article we have tried to revisit the journey from De humani to Gray's Anatomy and have also highlighted on other anatomical texts that form important landmarks in this journey. The article attempts to focus on the rectification of Galenic errors, description of new discoveries in human anatomy, introduction of the concept of clinical anatomy, emergence of surgical anatomy and the advent of sectional anatomy. The article also put emphasis on the efforts to make anatomical illustrations used in texts more scientific and in tune with the printed matter. We noted with interest that luminary anatomists over the years have contributed in their own individual manner towards the development of text based anatomy and from cumulative perspective their visionary efforts have shaped the outlook of anatomical texts in present times.

Keyword

Human anatomy; Anatomy texts; Vesalius; De humani; Henry Gray; Gray's Anatomy

MeSH Terms

Anatomists
Anatomy, Cross-Sectional
Europe
Humans

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The cover page of De humani corporis fabrica. The illustration represents a public dissection by Vesalius in Padua. Image is in public domain.

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  Fig. 2 An illustration plate from De humani corporis fabrica depicting the anatomy of muscular system of human body. The full human figure in a theatrical pose is a testimony of artistic influence on anatomical illustrations during Renaissance. Image is in public domain.

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  Fig. 3 An illustration plate from Syntagma Anatomicum depicting the anatomy of genito-urinary system in males. The illustration is focussed on anatomical details and free from artistic influence. Image is in public domain.

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  Fig. 4 An illustration plate from Adversaria Anatomica depicting the anatomical details of different components of larynx along with the trachea. The quality of the illustration shows remarkable improvement as compared to those used by previous anatomists. Image is in public domain.

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  Fig. 5 An illustration plate depicting the anatomy of external carotid artery and its branches. The plate is included in Anatomy of the human body and was prepared by Charles Bell, the co-author of the text. The illustration is much advanced in terms of accuracy of the anatomical details as compared to previously published anatomical texts. Image is in public domain.

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  Fig. 6 The cover page of the first edition of Henry Gray's Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical which was published in 1858. Image is in public domain.

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  Fig. 7 An illustration plate from Henry Gray's Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical depicting the anatomical details of the muscles of the back. The illustration was prepared by Henry Vandyke Carter, who was himself an anatomist. The illustration is focussed on scientific description of the anatomical structures and although in black & white, closely represents the quality of images used in present day anatomical texts. Image is in public domain.

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