De re anatomica
Quick Summary
De re anatomica was a significant work by Matteo Realdo Colombo, an Italian anatomist and surgeon. Published in 1559, it was his only formal written work and contained original observations from his dissections. Colombo's descriptions of anatomical structures like the mediastinum, pleura, and peritoneum were considered the best of his time.
Most importantly, De re anatomica clearly described the pulmonary circulation, detailing how blood moves between the heart and the lungs. This work anticipated the later discovery of general blood circulation by William Harvey and established Colombo as a key figure in anatomical science.1
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