Eur J Anat, 19 (4): 401-416 (2015)

Contribution of the University of Salamanca to the implantation of Vesalian anatomy in Spain

Ricardo Vázquez, José M. Riesco and Enrique J. Blanco

Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

ABSTRACT After considering the background to the development of medicine as regards anatomy before the appearance of Andreas Vesalius, we analyze the introduction of Vesalian anatomy in Spain. In particular, we place emphasis on the role played by the University of Salamanca in the following aspects: the creation of a Chair of Anatomy independent of other medical studies, the calls to cover the position, the knowledge to be demonstrated by the candidate, the conditions to be met once the chair had been awarded, and the construction of a building in which anatomy was to be studied. We also describe how all these issues were put together in different clauses supervised by the Senate Council and in the University Statutes of 1561 and after in 1594.

Keywords: Anatomy, Dissection, Anatomical norms, Anatomical amphitheatre