Vesalius and His Manikin: An Enduring Influence on Modern Anatomic Teaching

Authors

• Thomas J. On, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.
• Yuan Xu, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.Follow
• Jubran H. Jubran, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.
• Andrea L. Castillo, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.
• Ali Tayebi Meybodi, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.
• Oscar Alcantar-Garibay, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.
• T Forcht Dagi, Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester , Minnesota , USA.
• Mark C. Preul, The Loyal and Edith Davis Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix , Arizona , USA.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Anatomic teaching has long informed surgical knowledge, experience, and skills. One tool for teaching that emerged during the Renaissance was the fugitive anatomic sheet, which used flap layers to reveal different levels of anatomy. In 1538, Vogtherr introduced the first fugitive sheets, which included illustrations of male and female figures with a torso paper flap that, when lifted, revealed the internal organs in a cartoonish style. The popularity of these anatomic fugitive sheets spurred an increase in small print-and-sale workshops. In 1543, Vesalius included fugitive anatomic sheets in his books Fabrica and Epitome , containing large paper flapped models that could be created by cutting out and gluing images of human internal anatomy onto a base layer. Students could tack these manikins up to a nearby wall during dissection. Significant collaboration between Vesalius and his publisher occurred to coordinate the integration of large foldable sheets featuring the cutout models into his works. Vesalius's groundbreaking discoveries, his use of the most advanced printing techniques, and his innovative teaching style are fundamental aspects of the legacy of medical education. This article shows these remarkable fugitive anatomic sheets from the original publications of Fabrica and Epitome together for the first time. It explores the innovative concepts and applications of Vesalius's unique printings.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Anatomy (history, education); History, 16th Century; Manikins; Teaching (history); Medical Illustration (history); Education, Medical (history)

Publication Date

2-1-2025

Publication Title

Neurosurgery

E-ISSN

1524-4040

Volume

96

Issue

2

First Page

235

Last Page

250

PubMed ID

39813067

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1227/neu.0000000000003187

Recommended Citation

On, Thomas J.; Xu, Yuan; Jubran, Jubran H.; Castillo, Andrea L.; Tayebi Meybodi, Ali; Alcantar-Garibay, Oscar; Dagi, T Forcht; and Preul, Mark C., "Vesalius and His Manikin: An Enduring Influence on Modern Anatomic Teaching" (2025). Neurosurgery. 2344.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/2344