Ancient human cadaveric dissection

Routes of the thalamus through the history of neuroanatomy

“…It is interesting to note that the ventricular theory was preserved for more than fifteen centuries before Leonardo da Vinci provided the first realistic drawing of the ventricular system. He performed it from a wax cast of an ox brain (Duque-Parra et al, 2017) 1238in Sinha, 2015) for all people who were to practice medicine or surgery (Ghosh, 2015). The emperial decision was that one dissection be performed every fifth year (Sinha, 2015).…”

“…He performed it from a wax cast of an ox brain (Duque-Parra et al, 2017) 1238in Sinha, 2015) for all people who were to practice medicine or surgery (Ghosh, 2015). The emperial decision was that one dissection be performed every fifth year (Sinha, 2015). In 1299, however, Pope Boniface VIII issued a Bull that prohibited the boiling and dismembering of human cadavers, a practice that had enabled the dissemination of different pieces of a same corpse for e.g., reasons of prestige (pieces of a same person in different burials), ease of transport (much used by the crusaders), respect of the premortem will to rest in different places, or whatever.…”

“…With the birth of printing (around 1470), anatomical engravings underwent a real boom and were more than exceptionally the work of artists who acquired unquenchable fame during their lifetime or after their death. Beside Dürer, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, one can also mention Leonardo da Vinci (Sinha, 2015;Swanson, 2000). He illegally practiced overnight candle-lit dissections of human cadavers in the crypt of Santa Maria Nuova hospital, of which he left incredibly remarkable drawings (e.g., Perloff, 2013).…”

Anatomical learning

“…The idea was to acquire maximum knowledge from the cadavers & as this was considered to be the great teacher of the Anatomy. 2 Since parts were individually assigned for the dissection as per schedule & it was time bound, therefore all the students used to remain present & were engaged working. At the end of every schedule, stages viva used to be held & being taken by the respective demonstrators.…”

Sushruta on Human Dissection as Pre-requisite to Surgery

“…The gladiatorial physician Claudius Galenus ('Kla?dioV Galhn?V'), known as Galen (130 AD-200 AD), also employed dissection of humans and animals. However, since the spiritual beliefs of the times prohibited the use of human cadaver dissection Galen relied on dissecting ungulates (i.e.pigs) dogs and primates (Sinha, 2015).…”