Andreae Vesalii: the bones and muscles

RESUMO

The historical references are taken from Aristoteles (384-322 a C) considered the father of Kinesiology, and Claudius Galenus from Pergamon (131-201), the first team doctor. Both menïs studies shared the same objective: functional-anatomic aspects related to the Locomotive System. Although there were several descriptive anatomic studies of bones and muscles, it was Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564), whom most significantly contributed to the development of a new methodology for the lectures of Anatomy, with the setting up of skeletons and dissection of bodies during his lessons. Objectives: the aim of this paper is study the description of bones and muscles from the Vesalius works. We search Vesaliusïs publications, specially "De Humani Corporis Fabrica Liber Septem (1543). Results: Bones and muscles were studied by Vesalius in 1st and 2nd chapters of his Fabrica. He described scapula; incus and malleus; pre-maxillar; mandible; hyoid; vertebrae; sphenoid; clavicle; bones of the carpus; sternum (with three bones); os vesalianum. The author defines the muscles shown in the Fabrica as full of life. These are contracted muscles, giving the presentation a anatomic-functional aspects, which is referred as an essential contribution payed by Vesalius. He described the muscles choanoides and the rectus of abdomen, and determined the action of tendons and muscles. It ïs evident the interest of Vesalius by bones and muscles. The artistic aspects were realized by Johann Stephan Kalkar which is able to show bones and muscles in action. We can conclude the importance of the findings of Vesalius to the modern Human Anatomy even though some of the descriptions and definitions have changed over time