“Anatomy is to physiology as geography is to history;
​it describes the theatre of events.”  

Jean Francois Fernel (1497-1558)

The anatomical tradition like, that of every other department of rational investigation can, be traced back to the Greeks. From them we learned the methods, applications and nomenclature of the anatomical discipline.
​Herophilus of Chalcedon. 330-260 BC is known as the 'Founder of Anatomy'.

the pre-scientific age

Our knowledge of anatomy begins with the Greeks themselves.

the empire and dark ages

The beginning of anatomy in Rome.

the middle ages and renaissance

After Galen there is no anatomical activity for many centuries. 

16th century

Modern anatomy  is introduced.

17th century

Thomas Willis pioneers the study of the brain and nervous system.

18th century

Research into general anatomy continues along the lines of Vesalius and his followers.

19th century

Anatomy is well established.

20th and 21st century

Anatomy is taught in relation to clinical medicine and surgery.

history of anatomy timeline 

the pre-scientific age

The Greeks - 50BC
Our knowledge of anatomy begins with the Greeks themselves.
550 BC - 400 BC
​The schools of Sicily, Iona and Cos are formed.
400BC - 350BC
The early Athenian period  - Plato Diocles.
350BC - 290BC
​
The later Athenian period - Aristotle Theophrastus.
Aristotle's philosophy and its bearing on anatomical thought.
300 BC - 210 BC
The great Alexandrians - Herophilus (the founder of Anatomy).
Erasistratus (the father of Physiology).

330BC - 260BC
Herophilus of Chalcedon known as the 'Founder of Anatomy'.
330BC - 255BC
Erasistratus of Chios was the first scientific physiologist.

THE EMPIRE AND DARK AGES

50BC - 50AD
The beginning of anatomy in Rome.
130AD- 200 AD
Claudius Galen of Pergamon - Prince of Physicians and the most celebrated anatomist of antiquity.

THE MIDDLE AGES AND RENAISSANCE

After Galen no anatomical activity for many centuries
1156AD
​Bologna founded a medical faculty - now the oldest university in the world.
1250AD - 1300AD
Beginning of dissection.
1270AD - 1326AD

Mondino De Luzzi  carried out the first recorded human dissection in 1316 in Bologna. The dissection received official recognition in the university statutes. He was known as the 'Restorer of Anatomy'.
1452AD - 1519AD
Leonardo Da Vinci - spent last 20 years of his life studying anatomy.

16TH CENTURY

Modern anatomy ​
1514AD - 1564AD
Andrea Vesalius published his book 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' (1543) and was known as the 'Father of Modern Anatomy'.
1510AD - 1513AD
Anatomical study in the 16th century became integrated into the learning of medicine in England, thanks to John Caius. ​
1510AD - 1580AD
Giovanni Filippo Ingrassia was known as the 'Founder of Osteology' (study of the skeleton).
1510AD - 1574AD
Bartolomeo Eustachio was known as the 'Initiator of Modern Dental Anatomy'.
1520
Henry v111 licenses the barber surgeons to anatomise bodies of four felons a year.

17TH CENTURY

1621AD - 1675AD
In England, Thomas Willis pioneered the study of the brain and the nervous system.
1628AD -1694AD
Marcello Malpaghi was known as the 'Founder of Microscopic Anatomy'.
1682AD - 1771AD
​Giovanni Battista Morgagni.

18TH CENTURY

Research into general anatomy continues along the lines of Vesalius and his followers.
1728AD - 1793AD
John Hunter - one of the greatest anatomists of all time.
1761AD - 1841AD
Sir Astley Paston Cooper.

19TH CENTURY

Anatomy is well established.
1832AD, 1871AD, 1984AD
Legislation for the dissection of human bodies is covered by 'The Anatomy Act' of 1832, (1871), (1984).
1827AD-1861 AD
Henry Gray.
1844AD - 1919AD
​Alexander McCalister.
1858AD
Henry Gray published his textbook 'Gray’s Anatomy' - the world's oldest textbook and still in print today. Published a year before Charles Darwin’s book ‘Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection’.

20TH AND 21ST CENTURY

A​natomy is taught in relation to clinical medicine and surgery.
​1961AD, 2004AD, 2006AD

Human tissues act  of 1961, 2004 (England) and 2006 (Scotland) - first implented 1961.