Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 156

ALESSANDRO ACHILLINI (1463-1512) [Anotomicae [sic] annotationes]. Impressae per Hieronymum de Benedictis 1520] xviii ll., port. 21.2 cm.

Achillini's anatomy was published posthumously by his brother, Giovanni Filoteo (1466-1538). The book is dedicated to Monti, professor at Bologna and a former student of Achillini's. In the dedicatory letter, Giovanni stresses the great value of the book to students as well as its compact format. In keeping with its title--Anatomical notes--the work appears to have been assembled from his lecture notes and, although Mondino (see No. 97 ff.) is seldom mentioned, the text follows Mondino's organization very closely, with exception of a brief section at the end of the book. This section delineates the eighteen sutures of the skull and has been drawn from Albertus Magnus' (see No. 89) De animalibus. The work was not included in his Opera perhaps because Achillini did not regard it as suitable for publication. From the dates cited in the text, the book reflects his knowledge of anatomy during the years 1502-1506. Achillini had a broad understanding of the subject, quoted a large number of authorities, and provided a broad perspective of views. He did not hesitate to give his own interpretation when he disagreed with another's viewpoint. Various authorities have credited Achillini with showing that the tarsus had seven bones, with rediscovering the fornix and infundibulum, and with discovering the malleus and incus bones in the ear; however, there is some uncertainty about Achillini's part in these discoveries. He did give an excellent description of the brain, the trochlear nerve, and mentioned the eighth pair of cranial nerves. He wrote on the ileocecal valve and clearly described the duodenum, ileum, and colon. The two poems to the reader beneath Achillini's portrait were written by Annibale Camillo of Correggio.

See Related Record(s): 97 89

Cited references: Durling 31; Waller 178

Gift of John Martin, M.D.