Enciclopedia Cattolica

ANATOMIA

Anatomy

Volume I · p. 711 · 1948

English translation · Testo originale italiano

ANATOMIA. - Dal gr. ἀνατομή = dissezione, è la scienza che per via della dissezione studia la struttura intima dei viventi.
ANATOMIA. - Dal gr. ἀνατομή = dissezione, è la scienza che per via della dissezione studia la struttura intima dei viventi.

Machine translation of the 1948–1954 Italian original. The original text is authoritative.

In our Western culture, the first accounts of anatomical research, carried out with the specific purpose of studying the internal structure of the animal organism, are handed down to us with reference to Alcmaeon of Croton, considered the first founder of biological experiment (6th cent. B.C.).

Before this period, some would connect possible anatomical knowledge with the practices necessary for the embalming of corpses among the ancient Egyptians and also with those pertaining to the sacrifice of animals to the gods. But, whereas for the former it must be remembered that the caste entrusted with embalming was considered extremely impure and therefore excluded from common society, and its knowledge remained confined within an unbreakable circle, for the latter the same knowledge did not go beyond what even butchers could have at any time. In confirmation of this, the information concerning anatomy, found in the most ancient documents, is extremely naive and unsubstantiated, with the exception of those connected with the external inspection of the living body. With Alcmaeon, of whose writings only fragments remain, one begins to have some precise references to anatomical knowledge, albeit rudimentary and not always clearly interpreted. Anatomy acquired notable development in the Alexandrian school (3rd cent. B.C.) and precisely with Herophilus and Erasistratus, to whom discoveries are owed which are still valid today and some of which still bear the discoverer's name (*Torcular of Herophilus*).

In this period the anatomical observations, which in Alcmaeon it is doubtful referred to man, are certainly human. Indeed, there is a tradition, dating back to Roman times, that vivisections were also performed on
ANATOMY - playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (20th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - MAP with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (15th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS — Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) — New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY — playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) — New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (15th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY — playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) — New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY — playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) — New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (15th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS — Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) — New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (15th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (15th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANATOMY - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (10th century) - New York, Pierpont Library.
ANALYSIS - Playing card with anatomical figure; Lombard art (15th cent.) - New York, Pierpont Morgan Library

Article illustration
(propr. B. Deyenhart)
Anatomy - Playing card with anatomical figure: Lombard art (15th cent.) - New York, Pierpont Morgan Library