Galen's monumental guide to dissection. Across nine books, he provides detailed instructions for anatomical investigation of every bodily system — muscles, nerves, vessels, organs — drawing on his extensive experience dissecting both animals and human subjects.
Start ReadingIntroduction to dissection technique. Galen explains the principles and methods of anatomical investigation, including his approach to animal dissection.
The muscles of the hand and forearm. Galen provides detailed dissection instructions for exposing and identifying the muscles that produce grip and finger movement.
The muscles of the leg and foot. Galen traces each muscle from origin to insertion, explaining how they produce the movements of walking and standing.
The muscles of the trunk and spine. Galen describes the muscles of the back, abdomen, and chest wall, explaining their role in respiration and posture.
The muscles of the head, face, and neck. Galen traces the muscles of expression, mastication, swallowing, and head movement.
The nerves of the body. Galen traces the major nerve trunks from the brain and spinal cord to their peripheral terminations.
The arteries and veins. Galen provides dissection instructions for exposing the major blood vessels and tracing their course through the body.
The internal organs. Galen describes the dissection of the thoracic and abdominal viscera — heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines.
The brain and spinal cord. Galen provides instructions for exposing and examining the structures of the central nervous system.