How Did Andreas Vesalius Influence Scientists

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Andreas Vesalius, the Father of Modern Anatomy, once said, “I am not accustomed to saying anything with certainty after only one or two observations”(CSuiteMind). He revolutionized the medical community with his anatomical textbook, De humani corporis fabrica libri septem, The Seven Books on the Structure of the Human Body(Florkin). He was able to discover flaws in the standard knowledge at the time by having the curiosity to dissect human cadavers himself rather than accepting the knowledge of his teachers(Vesalius's Renaissance Anatomy Lessons). Vesalius was born in 1514 to a wealthy family of physicians in Flanders. He began his medical career at the University of Paris and then later moved to the University of Padua(Florkin). In Padua, he began his famous assault on the teachings of Galen(BBC). Through his radical work in anatomical sciences, Vesalius proved himself to be the greatest scientist of the Scientific Revolution through his overcoming of obstacles, empiricism, dismantling of the accepted concepts of the time, and his lasting impact on scientists after him.
Vesalius overcame many obstacles in obtaining cadavers to work with when conducting his research. When Vesalius began at the University of Paris, it was easier for medical professors to obtain cadavers in France than other European countries. But, medical students did not have access to the corpses. To obtain …show more content…

William Harvey took Vesalius's work and expanded upon it. He developed the concept of full circulation throughout the body not only between the heart and lungs. He theorized that the heart was an organic pump, and it could not be quantified through mathematical equations(Gregory). Also inspired by Vesalius’s work was Charles Darwin. A better understanding of the human body allowed him to understand the concept evolution by studying the differences between humans and animals(Comparative Anatomy: Andreas