Dissection in the history of science
In 1543 Andreas Vesalius published "On the Fabric of the Human Body" (De humani corporis fabrica), based on his own dissections. He showed that anatomy has to be checked by observation, not just by old books.
Methods
Methods and approaches
Our knowledge of the body has been gathered over centuries: from the first anatomical atlases to modern machines that show the internal organs without a single incision. And some things about yourself you can learn with no equipment at all.
Each new way of looking inside the body did not replace the old ones; it added another point of view.
How this section works: we explain what the methods are based on and what they generally show. Only a doctor decides which test a particular person needs and when, so there are no indications or contraindications here.
How the body is studied
Classical anatomy grew out of careful observation and precise drawings.
Anatomical atlases
For centuries, detailed drawings and diagrams were doctors' main textbook. Atlases still help us understand where the organs lie.
Free anatomy (in Russian)
Models and specimens
Three-dimensional models and preserved teaching specimens let us see the body's structure in three dimensions. Working with them calls for respect and clear rules.
Anatomy exhibits (in Russian)
How doctors look inside today
Modern imaging methods let us see the organs without breaking the skin.
X-ray
X-rays pass through dense and soft tissues differently, which is why bones show up clearly on the image.
Ultrasound
A probe sends out sound waves and picks up their reflection. From these echoes the machine builds a real-time image of the organs.
Computed tomography (CT)
A computer assembles many X-ray images taken from different angles into cross-sectional images of the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A strong magnetic field and radio waves produce detailed images of soft tissues without X-ray radiation.
How to observe yourself
Simple observations are no substitute for a medical examination, but they help you know your usual readings better.
Pulse
Your pulse is easy to find at the wrist or neck. In an adult at rest it is usually around 60–100 beats per minute, but this is only a general guide.
Breathing
Calm breathing is usually even and barely noticeable. Changes that persist are a reason to mention them to a doctor.
Weight
Noticeable changes in weight without an obvious reason are worth discussing with a professional rather than explaining away yourself.
Sleep
Regular sleep helps the body recover. Notes on when you go to bed and how you feel in the morning are useful when talking to a doctor.
When to see a doctor
- Your resting pulse seems unusually fast, slow or irregular
- You get out of breath with ordinary activity or at rest
- Pain in your joints or back doesn't go away and gets worse
- Your weight changes noticeably for no obvious reason
- New or changing spots appear on your skin
- For chest pain, sudden weakness or slurred speech, call 112 or 103 (or your local emergency number) at once
See also
- Topics
Organ systems by group: support and movement, blood and breathing, digestion, nerves and senses. Plus the article catalogue.
- Research
Where knowledge about the body comes from, how to read popular science, and why anatomy myths are so persistent.
- Glossary
Anatomy and medical terms in plain English, from vertebra and tendon to ultrasound.
- Questions
Questions about the heart, bones, joints and skin that are worth raising at a doctor's appointment.
Sources
- Andreas Vesalius, "On the Fabric of the Human Body" (De humani corporis fabrica, 1543)
- Textbooks of human anatomy and physiology
This text reflects the generally accepted understanding of how the body works as of the date it was prepared. Human biology keeps refining the details, so take any questions about your own health to a doctor rather than relying on a reference article.