L1. History of Anatomy

Question 1

L.O.

Answer 1

• Give two examples of significant anatomists in history and explain their contribution.
• Explain the historical timeline of anatomy education.
• Compare current anatomy teaching methods to those of the past.
• Consider the ethical controversies of the history of anatomy.

Question 2

Early anatomy scholars

Answer 2

Claudius Galen
* Roman physician, 129 to 216 CE
* Writier with over 130 works in medicine
* Dissection of human bodies was considered taboo, so he did animals

Andreas Vesalius
* Born in Belgium, lived 1514 to 1564
* believed knowledge was gained by observing and experimenting
* Led to a blossoming of anatomy research and teaching in Europe

Question 3

The first anatomy theatre

Answer 3

The University of Bologna
- Approved human dissection in 1405 CE
- Professor would sit on elevated chair and give instructions.
- Influenced the design of university theatres
everywhere.

Question 4

Movement toward hands on learning

Answer 4

• During the Renaissance period, observation of dissection was the main teaching strategy.
• ## Students gradually started, leading to high demand of bodies

Question 5

The demand for bodies

Answer 5

• Executed criminals
• Political prisoners
• Poor people who died in workhouses
• People who couldn’t afford a funeral
• anatomy schools that were part of hospitals used their own patients

Demand for bodies led to unethical actions,
- Freshly buried people were taken from their graves and sold to medical schools

Question 6

William Burke and William Hare

Answer 6

• Due to high demand of bodies, they murdered bodies and sold them a professor.
• Hare was convinced to turn in Burke in exchange for immunity. Burke was tried and hung… and publicly dissected.

Question 7

Demand for bodies led to…

Answer 7

• Murders, to sell bodies
• Public disgust
• introduction of Acts

Question 8

Unethical use of human bodies during the Nazi era

Answer 8

• Crimes against humanity were against political prisoners and in death camps. Dissections were carried out.
• This formed many photos for textbooks, many used today.

Question 9

The trade in skeletons

Answer 9

• Until a few decades ago it was expected for students to have their own real skeleton to study.
• India was a source of much of the world’s teaching skeletons. Many found around the world now in teaching instutitions.
• Under present day rules, it is illegal to trade in human remains in Australia.

Question 10

Studying anatomy now

Answer 10

• Much more conscious of our ethical responsibilities, and our respect for those whose bodies we study
• Modern technologies have their own challenges to consider when dealing with the sensitive subjects.
• Sharing images is very easy
• 3D printing is also a very accurate representation