Who studies anatomy

In many places, at many times, it has been illegal to dissect bodies. This has made it difficult for students of anatomy. The law was often broken, however. There were men who were called 'body-snatchers." These men stoic-bodies from cemeteries, and sold the bodies to medical schools.

Governments finally became convinced that anatomy was an important science, and that dead bodies were needed for the study of anatomy. Laws were passed in most countries that permitted the use of bodies for dissection. Today, some people wish to help mankind even after they have died. These people will their bodies to medical schools. Anatomy is also studied by artists. They must know something about the parts of the human body so that they may be able to draw human figures accurately.

The great Italian painter, Leonardo da Vinci, knew a lot about anatomy. Not only did he show this in his paintings, but he also made many sketches of the human body. These sketches showed the bone and muscle structure of the body, and scientists today consider them quite accurate. Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor the world has ever known, was famous even before da Vinci. The statues created by Michelangelo show that this great sculptor knew very much about the human body. Unless a painter or sculptor knows something about anatomy, his work will be stiff and inaccurate. Without a knowledge of anatomy, drawings or sculpture of the human figure look more like puppets than people.