Abstract

DE MICHELI SERRA, Alfredo; ITURRALDE TORRES, Pedro  and  ARANDA FRAUSTRO, Alberto. Gradual knowledge of the structure and function of the cardiovascular system. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2013, vol.83, n.3, pp.225-231. ISSN 1665-1731.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acmx.2013.03.001.

The first anatomical lexicon was established in old Egypt, Alexandria by the priests who ritually offered all the parts of the human corpses to their gods. About 500 years b. C. studies of comparative anatomy began due to the physician Alcmeon of Croton, author of the text seriously starting the history of scientific pathology according to Laín Entralgo. It was only during the III century b. C. that dissections of human corpses began at the famous Alexandrian School of Medicine in Ptolemaic Egypt. During the Roman era and in high Middle Ages, physicians carried out anatomical studies in humans in order to dismiss or confirm poisoning suspicions or to extrapolate their flindings in animals (monkeys, pigs, etc) to humans. However, in low Middle Ages (XIV century), direct studies in human corpses were performed once again. These studies reached their pinnacle in the XVI century allowing the discovery of the lesser blood circulation and later of the greater blood circulation. The XVII century saw the coming of microscopic anatomy and the XVIII century witnessed the zenith of pathological anatomy. These studies developed during the following century into clinical-anatomical comparison. Today the help of technological studies is mandatory.

Keywords : Cardiocirculatory system; Ancient age anatomy; Prevesallian anatomy; Postvesallian anatomy; Anatomo-physiology; Mexico.