History of Science Online - Course Info - Time tips - Semester at a glance - Weekly assignments at a glance - Timeline - Week 5: Hellenistic Science

Herophilos of Chalcedon, d. ca. 250 BC

Background

Among his many accomplishments, Herophilos of Chalcedon is remembered for naming many anatomical parts, and for describing three parallel systems of vessels: the arteries, the veins, and the nerves. Herophilos traced the connections between the nerves, the spinal cord and the brain. He distinguished sensory and motor nerves, and distinguished the dura mater and pia mater membranes surrounding the brain.

Note: Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body; physiology is the study of its function (= action). The Alexandrian physicians Herophilus and Erasistratus differed in their estimate of the importance of anatomy relative to physiology.

Assignments

1. Review what Lindberg says about Herophilos, 2007, 119-120; 1992, pp. 120-121.
2. Watch this short video on Geometrical models.
3. Read Michael Lahanas' discussion of dissection in the time of Herophilos.

	HSCI 3013. History of Science to 17th century Kerry Magruder, Instructor, 2004-14 Brent Purkaple, TA Report typos or broken links	Go to this course at Janux spellcheck.net | wordcounter.net Many thanks to the pedagogical model developed in Mythology and Folklore and other online courses by Laura Gibbs, which have been an inspiration for this course.	Academic Calendar
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