How did Luigi Galvani’s early anatomy research lead toward physiology?

Luigi Galvani’s transition from anatomy to physiology began with his early research in comparative anatomy, where he studied structures such as renal tubules and the middle ear. This work naturally evolved toward a focus on how these biological structures function.1

His interest deepened in the 1770s through lectures on the anatomy of the frog and subsequent experiments in electrophysiology. By utilizing an electrostatic machine and a Leyden jar, Galvani began investigating muscular stimulation through electrical means. This research culminated in his discovery that electrical stimuli could trigger muscular contractions, leading him to propose the existence of "animal electricity" within living tissue.1

Ultimately, his experiments—including demonstrating muscle contraction without the use of metal—established the existence of bioelectric forces, effectively opening the field of nerve and muscle physiology.1