Mondino de Luzzi: a luminous figure in the darkness of the Middle Ages

Mavrodi, Alexandra; Paraskevas, George

doi:10.3325/cmj.2014.55.50

Cited by 36 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The flickering light of human dissection was completely snuffed out with the burning of Alexandria in 389 AD [ 4 ]. Following widespread introduction of Christianity in Europe during the Middle Ages, the development of rational thought and investigation was paralysed by the church authorities and physicians could only repeat the works of the eminent figures from past such as Aristotle or Galen, without questioning their scientific validity [ 9 ]. During this period, human dissection was considered to be blasphemous and so was prohibited [ 10 ].…”

Section: Inception and Disappearance Of Human Dissectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Religious authorities gave permission as well as clearly delineated and articulated boundaries around the practice of human dissection-this consequently eased the public's anxiety and the procedures were allowed to continue with ever decreasing protests [ 23 ]. From De Liuzzi's time human dissections were conducted in the form of regular university sponsored anatomy teaching sessions comprising of four day exhibitions held once or twice a year and were performed on bodies of executed criminals, both male and female, provided to the medical school of Bologna by the local public authorities [ 9 ]. These public dissections were strictly standardized as they required the presence of the Lector (lecturer), who read from an authoritative text (usually the Lector was De Liuzzi who referred to Galen's text and later on other eminent anatomists who referred to De Liuzzi's text Anathomia Mondini ), the Ostensor who pointed to the part of the body to be dissected and the Sector (surgeon/barber) who performed the dissection ( Fig.…”

Section: Revival Of Human Dissection and Its Rise In Popularitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human cadaveric dissection: a historical account from ancient Greece to the modern era

2015

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The review article attempts to focus on the practice of human cadaveric dissection during its inception in ancient Greece in 3rd century BC, revival in medieval Italy at the beginning of 14th century and subsequent evolution in Europe and the United States of America over the centuries. The article highlights on the gradual change in attitude of religious authorities towards human dissection, the shift in the practice of human dissection being performed by barber surgeons to the anatomist himself dissecting the human body and the enactment of prominent legislations which proved to be crucial milestones during the course of the history of human cadaveric dissection. It particularly emphasizes on the different means of procuring human bodies which changed over the centuries in accordance with the increasing demand due to the rise in popularity of human dissection as a tool for teaching anatomy. Finally, it documents the rise of body donation programs as the source of human cadavers for anatomical dissection from the second half of the 20th century. Presently innovative measures are being introduced within the body donation programs by medical schools across the world to sensitize medical students such that they maintain a respectful, compassionate and empathetic attitude towards the human cadaver while dissecting the same. Human dissection is indispensable for a sound knowledge in anatomy which can ensure safe as well as efficient clinical practice and the human dissection lab could possibly be the ideal place to cultivate humanistic qualities among future physicians in the 21st century.

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Section: Inception and Disappearance Of Human Dissectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Revival Of Human Dissection and Its Rise In Popularitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human cadaveric dissection: a historical account from ancient Greece to the modern era

2015

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“…During this time religious philosophy overshadowed scientific knowledge and study. The main contributions of this period were extensive translations of Greek texts into Latin, Arabic, and a variety of other languages [15].…”

Section: The Sleeping Ages Of Anatomical Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

From papyrus leaves to bioprinting and virtual reality: history and innovation in anatomy

2019

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The human quest to master the anatomy and physiology of living systems started as early as 1600 BC, with documents from the Greeks, Indians, and Romans presenting the earliest systematic studies and advances. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the progress slowed until the Renaissance renewed scientific interest in anatomy and physiology, ushering in an era of spectacular advances. Alongside the discoveries of modern science, innovations in media such as printing, photography and color reproduction, improved the accuracy of communicating science. Techniques for noninvasively viewing the human body, such as magnetic resonance imaging, opened up new ways of exploring and understanding anatomy, physiology, and disease pathogenesis. Advances in three-dimensional (3D)-technologies, including computer graphics and animation are directly linked to many advances in medicine and surgery. Anatomy education has come a long way from papyrus leaf inscriptions to computerized 3D modeling, holographic representation, and virtual reality-based software. The future presents unlimited options for studying and understanding anatomy as Google glasses, bioprinting, virtual reality, and allied technologies transform the world into a classroom. This review summarizes the journey of mankind to master anatomy and physiology.

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“…In order to make these anatomic dissections more agreeable, a public dissection would be scheduled around festivities like a carnival. Food and wine would keep spectators warm and distracted from the rancid aroma of a decomposing body [9]. de' Liuzzi's first public dissection was performed in Bologna, in January, on the body of a female criminal, in the presence of medical students and other spectators, and with the full authorization by the church.…”

Section: Merely a Witness To History?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the notion that the entire period we call the Middle Ages was scientifically barren has been revised by researchers and historians who have confirmed that the middle-to-late-Middle Ages indeed was marked by many scientific accomplishments [9]. The late 11th century and 12th century saw the establishment of a number of universities throughout Europe, including the University of Bologna [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Art in Science: Mondino de’ Liuzzi: The Restorer of Anatomy

Matteo

Tarabella

Filardo

et al. 2017

Clinical Orthopaedics &Amp; Related Research

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D r. Berardo Di Matteo and his colleagues at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna, Italy have again used the treasures of one the oldest and mostcomprehensive medical libraries in the world to share with us a fascinating and beautifully documented time in the history of medical education. The clerical ban on the use of human dissection, lasting nearly a millennium, diminished physicians' opportunities to learn about human health and sickness, and plunged medical knowledge into darkness. The story of how Mondino de' Liuzzi boldly reintroduced the study of human anatomy is an important contribution to our Art in Science column.

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Mondino de Luzzi: a luminous figure in the darkness of the Middle Ages

Cited by 36 publications

References 23 publications

Human cadaveric dissection: a historical account from ancient Greece to the modern era

Human cadaveric dissection: a historical account from ancient Greece to the modern era

From papyrus leaves to bioprinting and virtual reality: history and innovation in anatomy

Art in Science: Mondino de’ Liuzzi: The Restorer of Anatomy

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