Hieronymus Fabricius(1537-1619)

Hieronymus Fabricius is the Latin name by which the Italian anatomist Girolamo Fabrici is better known.

Fabrici was born in Acquapendente, Italy and studied Latin, logic, philosophy, and then medicine at the University of Padua where he was a pupil of Gabriele Falloppio. Fabricius succeeded Falloppio as professor of anatomy in Padua at the age of 25. He later became professor of surgery, occupying both chairs for nearly 50 years. Fabricius was the teacher of Harvey, who came from England to study at this legendary university.

In those days Padua was under the ruling of Venice. The famous anatomical theater of Padua was erected by the Senate of Venice due to efforts and reputation of Girolamo Fabrici who also provided personal funds to the project. He not only dissected human specimens but also various animal species. He is considered one of the fathers of embryology through his book entitled De formatu foetu (Venice 1606) and his postumal work De formatione (1621). He also was one of the champions of comparative anatomy. Fabricius was an excellent surgeon and developed new instruments and orthopaedic devices. Most of his written work appeared relatively late in his career since he devoted most of his time to teaching, research, and patient care. He published his anatomical observations in several volumes: De visione, voce, auditu (Venice, 1600), De venarum ostiolis (1603), De motu locali animalium secundum totum (1618) ... etc. Some historians consider that his anatomical books were the pieces of a monumental and uncompleted project that he entitled Totius animalis fabricae theatrum to which he devoted many years. His De venarum ostiolis contains an accurate description of the venous valves.

His Opera Chirurgica or Operationes chirurgicae (Venice, 1619) is a comprehensive treatise of surgical pathology that was so successful that was translated into various languages. Fabrici from his practice as a surgeon and physician, and from his academic appointment as professor of anatomy and surgery, became rich. He treated the poor at no charge. It is said that he frequently did not charge honoraria to his very wealthy patients receiving extraordinary gifts in return. The Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente Memorial Lecture is presented in MAM 2005 by a Padua anatomist, Prof. Gaetano Thiene, who following the Padua tradition will speak on the evolution From the anatomical theatre to the double helix.

By dissection of animals, Fabricius investigated the formation of the foetus, the structure of the oesophagus, stomach and bowels, and the peculiarities of the eye, the ear and the larynx. His main claim to fame is the discovery of the membranous folds, which he names valves, in the interior of veins.