The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

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ArticleTitle	Historical transition of the recognition of human body, especially on the function of brain
Language	J
AuthorList	Tatsuo Sakai
Affiliation	Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University
Publication	Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 29 (1), 22-34, 2013
Received
Accepted
Abstract	The ancient Galenic theory postulated that the fluid containing animal spirits in the cerebral ventricles served the brain function and was distributed through peripheral nerves to the whole body to serve the motor and sensory functions. In the 16th century, Vesalius initiated the macroscopic investigation of the human body, and in the 17th century Harvey denied the kernel of Galenic theory by claiming circulation of blood in the body. In the 19th century, the transformation of medicine paved the way for establishment of the psychiatry dealing with the brain disorders and of the clinical neurology dealing with the brain lesions. At the end of the 20th century, the technical development of medical imaging enabled visualization of brain lesions and brain functioning in the living human body.
Keywords	human anatomy, Galenic theory, Vesalius, neuron, medical imaging