Abstract:
VETERINARY ANATOMY: A HISTORICAL REVIEW
SUMMARY
Veterinary anatomy has, since its inception, been intimately associated with
medicine, and can thus not be viewed independently from human anatomy.
The anatomy of Antiquity (500 BC - 500 AD) was characterised by superficial
descriptions of structures. Because the dissection of human cadavers
was banned for certain periods, animals were used as dissection models
and the resulting information was simply applied to humans. In this fashion
numerous inaccuracies and misconceptions were created which survived
for the next 1200 years. The Dark Ages (500-100 AD) in Europe were
characterised by a total stagnation of science, but medical texts were fortunately
preserved in the Arabic countries. These manuscripts were
translated from ancient Greek into Latin during the Middle Ages (100-1350
AD) and resulted in a scientific resurgence in Europe. The first medical
schools were established towards the end of the Middle Ages.
The Renaissance (1350-1600AD) witnessed a phenominal scientific
revival. Public dissections of man and animals were employed to teach and
study anatomy. A critical comparison of this information with the antique
manuscripts led to the correction of many existing inaccuracies. During the
17th century anatomy shifted from public platforms to the laboratory,
societies of natural science were founded to promote scientific investigation,
and the development of the microscope added a new dimension to the
study of anatomy. The inability of 18th century practitioners to control
animal diseases led to the creation of veterinary schools in Europe, an act
which prompted the rapid advance of veterinary anatomy, the establishment
of anatomical societies, and the publication of important anatomical
texts. This rapid progress and improved sophistication was maintained in
the 20th century with the development of the electron microscope and
histochemical and immunocytological techniques.
