AL2 Seeking the Missing Vesalius Andreas Vesalius ( December 31, 1514 - October 15, 1564) is regarded as the founder of modern human anatomy. Born in Brussels (now modern day Belgium) he was the son of the court apothecary to Emperor Charles V, and his mother coming from a wealthy family afforded him the ability to study at a time where there was a change for great intellectual change. At an early age Vesalius showed an interest in dissection, when he later pursued his studies at the University of Paris he still held a fascination with dissection and therefore devoted his attention largely to anatomy. Once receiving his degree he was immediately offered a position as a lecturer on surgery and anatomy at Padua. Vesalius then later became part of the court of Emperor Charles V by the title of imperial physician. After many anatomical contributions, during Vesalius' pilgrimage he death occurred. While there is no fine historical report to as why he perished on his return, it is said that he became ill upon the ship and had passed away on the Greek island of Zacynthus. Vesalius is referred to as the founder of modern anatomy not only for his contributions to the knowledge of human physical internal structure, but for changing the thought and perception of anatomy as a whole. During his period Vesalius not only contributed major findings, he challenged a figure who no one had yet to go against the word of; the father of modern medicine Galen. Vesalius had discovered during his studies that Galen had preformed his dissections on apes and such mammals on the assumption that they are physiologically the same as humans. Though this was not fault of Galen's due to how the church viewed human dissection at the time which was deeply frowned upon. With a more open view Vesalius was able to conduct human dissections and prove that what was once accepted by Galen was no incorrect. That is not to say that Vesalius completely disregarded Galen's work, he still followed numerous medical techniques that Galen had knowledge on such as bloodletting. But Vesalius challenged Galen in the area that was best to have the bloodletting occur.
Beyond the challenge to Galen Vesalius reported numerous findings of his own which earned him his title. Vesalius's most notable work being his publication of his seven volume work titled De humani corporis farica (On the fabric of the human body). The volumes emphasized the order of dissection of the human body and stating the human internal functionality should be considered a structured filled with organs in a three dimension space. He later published another version of this work entitled De humani corporis fabric librorum epitome (Abridgement of the structure of the human body) more commonly known as Epitome. This abridge version had many more illustrations and helped the reader easily understand his findings. With his work primarily supported by dissection of corpses Vesalius contributed many more findings such as the lower jawbone being only one bone contrary to Galen, the skeletal system to be the frame work of the human body, and his work on the circulatory and vascular systems. Many of Vesalius' findings started modern anatomy and challenged what was once perceived, his many contributions help jump start a new wave of thinking in regards to medicine and its applications.

References
Andreas Vesalius. (2014, September 28). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Vesalius
Florkin, M. (Ed.). (2014, July 14). Andreas Vesalius. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/626818/Andreas-Vesalius
Karger, S. (n.d.). Vesalius Biography. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://www.vesaliusfabrica.com/en/vesalius/biography/vesalius-biography.html
Senfelder, L. (1912). Andreas Vesalius. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved September 29, 2014 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15378c.htm