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 |  Human Anatomy, 6/e Kent Van De Graaff,
Weber State University
The History of Anatomy
Chapter SummaryDefinition of the Science - Human anatomy is the science concerned
with the structure of the human body.
- The terms of anatomy are descriptive
and are generally of Greek or Latin derivation.
- The history of human anatomy parallels
that of medicine and has also been greatly influenced by various religions.
Prescientific Period - Prehistoric interest in anatomy
was undoubtedly limited to practical information necessary for survival.
- Trepanation was a surgical technique
that was practiced by several cultures.
- Paleopathology is the science
concerned with diseases of prehistoric people.
Scientific Period - A few anatomical descriptions
were inscribed in clay tablets in cuneiform writing by people who lived in
Mesopotamia in about 4000 B.C.
- Egyptians of about 3400 B.C. developed
a technique of embalming. It was not recorded, however, and therefore was
not of value in furthering the study of anatomy.
- The belief in a balance between
yin and yang was a compelling influence in Chinese philosophy and provided
the rationale for the practice of acupuncture.
- The advancement of anatomy in
Japan was largely due to the influence of the Chinese and Dutch.
- Anatomy first found wide acceptance
as a science in ancient Greece.
- Hippocrates is regarded as
the father of medicine because of the sound principles of medical practice
he established.
- The Greek philosophy of body
humors dominated medical thought for over 2,000 years.
- Aristotle pursued a limited
type of scientific method in obtaining data; his writings contain some
basic anatomy.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education