Editing History of anatomy (section)

===Leonardo da Vinci===
[[File:Leonardo da Vinci - RCIN 919000, Verso The bones and muscles of the arm c.1510-11.jpg|upright=.9|thumb|Anatomical study of the arm, by [[Leonardo da Vinci]], c. 1510]]
[[Leonardo da Vinci]] (1452–1519) was trained in anatomy by [[Andrea del Verrocchio]]. In 1489 Leonardo began a series of anatomical drawings depicting the ideal human form. This work was carried out intermittently for over two decades. During this time he made use of his anatomical knowledge in his artwork, making many sketches of skeletal structures, muscles, and organs of humans and other vertebrates that he dissected.<ref name=Boas>{{cite book | title=The Scientific Renaissance 1450–1630 | publisher=Fontana | author=Boas, Marie | year=1970 | pages=120–143}} (First published by Collins, 1962)</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Mason | first=Stephen F. | title=A History of the Sciences | url=https://archive.org/details/historyofscience00maso | publisher=Collier | year=1962 | location = New York | page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofscience00maso/page/550 550]}}</ref>

Initially adopting an [[Aristotle]]an understanding of anatomy, he later studied Galen and adopted a more empirical approach, eventually abandoning Galen altogether and relying entirely on his own direct observation.<ref name=Dover>{{cite book | last=O'Malley| first=Charles D. | title=Leonardo on the Human Body | publisher=Dover| year=1983 | location = New York}}</ref> His surviving 750 drawings represent groundbreaking studies in anatomy. Leonardo dissected around thirty human specimens until he was forced to stop under order of [[Pope Leo X]].{{citation needed|reason=The previous reference had no mention on da Vinci or Pope Leo X|date=July 2015}}

As an artist-anatomist, Leonardo made many important discoveries, and had intended to publish a comprehensive treatise on human anatomy.<ref name=Dover /> For instance, he produced the first accurate depiction of the human spine, while his notes documenting his dissection of the Florentine [[centenarian]] contain the earliest known description of [[cirrhosis of the liver]] and [[arteriosclerosis]].<ref name=Dover /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lairweb.org.nz/leonardo/anatomy.html | title=Leonardo the Man, His machines | publisher=Lairweb | access-date=2 November 2014 | archive-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101214213/http://www.lairweb.org.nz/leonardo/anatomy.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He was the first to develop drawing techniques in anatomy to convey information using cross-sections and multiple angles, although centuries would pass before anatomical drawings became accepted as crucial for learning anatomy.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://lifeinthefastlane.com/leonardo-da-vinci-first-anatomist/ | title=Leonardo Da Vinci first Anatomist | publisher=Life in The Fast Lane | access-date=2 November 2014 | date=2009-04-19 | archive-date=2014-11-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103001515/http://lifeinthefastlane.com/leonardo-da-vinci-first-anatomist/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

None of Leonardo's Notebooks were published during his lifetime, many being lost after his death, with the result that his anatomical discoveries remained unknown until they were later found and published centuries after his death.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ivc.edu/academics/schoolFA/arthistory/Documents/art2526projects/davinci_f07/page/paper.html | title=Leonardo Da Vinci's Notebook Project | publisher=Irvine Valley College | access-date=2 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112202548/http://www.ivc.edu/academics/schoolFA/arthistory/Documents/art2526projects/davinci_f07/page/paper.html | archive-date=12 November 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>