Fallopio
Gabriele Falloppio was one of the great anatomists of the sixteenth century, a follower of Vesalius.
He as born in Modena in 1523 and died in Padua in 1562. He belonged to a noble family that was, however, very poor. The family’s financial difficulties made him join the clergy. In 1542 he became the canon at Modena's cathedral. He then decided to study medicine, graduating at the University of Ferrara in 1548.
On receiving his degree he became professor of Anatomy in Ferrara, then at the University of Pisa in 1549 and in 1551 moved to the University of Padua where he worked until his death. He was also a professor of botany and was superintendent of the botanical gardens. His accomplishments in anatomy were quite important, even though he died before reaching the age of 40; the cause of his death is unknown.
He was noted for his modesty and deference to his fellow workers and especially to Vesalius. Whenever his studies led to different anatomical findings, he always insisted that his purpose in suggesting corrections was the advance of the science of anatomy.
He devoted himself mainly to the study of the anatomy of the head. He described the inner ear in detail and also studied the insertion of the tympanic membrane in the tympanic bone. He also described the oval and round windows and their communications with the cochlea. He was the first anatomist to describe the communication between the mastoid cells and the middle ear. And he also described the Fallopian aqueduct, the canal of the facial nerve.
He also studied the eye, describing the lacrimal ducts more precisely than previous anatomists. He also presented a detailed description of the ethmoid bone and its cells.
He also studied the bones and muscles, making some corrections of the previous studies by Vesalius. He studied the reproductive organs in both sexes, and described the Fallopian tubes, which leads from the ovary to the uterus.
He also made important contributions to clinical medicine. He was the first physician to use an aural speculum to diagnose ear diseases. He published treatises on ulcers and tumors and a treatise on surgery, besides a commentary on Hippocrates's book on wounds of the head.
He was a pioneer in the field of sexuality, advocating the use of condoms as the best way to prevent syphilis. This was probably the clinical trial of the condoms. His books on the practice of Medicine, however, were not published during his lifetime.
His most important disciple was Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente (1537–1619), an anatomist and surgeon who is considered the Father of Embryology. It is interesting to note that Fabricius was the teacher of William Harvey, the discoverer of blood circulation.
He as born in Modena in 1523 and died in Padua in 1562. He belonged to a noble family that was, however, very poor. The family’s financial difficulties made him join the clergy. In 1542 he became the canon at Modena's cathedral. He then decided to study medicine, graduating at the University of Ferrara in 1548.
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| Portrait of Fallopio - Wikimedia Commons |
He was noted for his modesty and deference to his fellow workers and especially to Vesalius. Whenever his studies led to different anatomical findings, he always insisted that his purpose in suggesting corrections was the advance of the science of anatomy.
He devoted himself mainly to the study of the anatomy of the head. He described the inner ear in detail and also studied the insertion of the tympanic membrane in the tympanic bone. He also described the oval and round windows and their communications with the cochlea. He was the first anatomist to describe the communication between the mastoid cells and the middle ear. And he also described the Fallopian aqueduct, the canal of the facial nerve.
He also studied the eye, describing the lacrimal ducts more precisely than previous anatomists. He also presented a detailed description of the ethmoid bone and its cells.
He also studied the bones and muscles, making some corrections of the previous studies by Vesalius. He studied the reproductive organs in both sexes, and described the Fallopian tubes, which leads from the ovary to the uterus.
He also made important contributions to clinical medicine. He was the first physician to use an aural speculum to diagnose ear diseases. He published treatises on ulcers and tumors and a treatise on surgery, besides a commentary on Hippocrates's book on wounds of the head.
He was a pioneer in the field of sexuality, advocating the use of condoms as the best way to prevent syphilis. This was probably the clinical trial of the condoms. His books on the practice of Medicine, however, were not published during his lifetime.
His most important disciple was Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente (1537–1619), an anatomist and surgeon who is considered the Father of Embryology. It is interesting to note that Fabricius was the teacher of William Harvey, the discoverer of blood circulation.
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