Michael Servetus (1511-1553) and the discovery of pulmonary circulation.
Michael Servetus was the first doctor ever to challenge and scientifically argue against the theories of Galen, which predominated for 14 centuries in medical schools worldwide. Even though he was relatively correct in scientific terms, Servetus was punished because of his boldness in challenging Galen's theories and was condemned to death by the Holy Inquisition. Yet, by publicly challenging Galen's and Hippocrates' predominant and unquestionable lessons on medicine for the first time, Servetus opened the door for other doctors to challenge and correct those theories and subsequently to bring about a new view of human anatomy and physiology. This article underlines the contribution of Servetus to the description of the pulmonary circulation.
1st Cardiology Department, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Christodoulos
C
Stefanadis
Marianna
M
Karamanou
George
G
Androutsos
D000718:Anatomy, Regional / Q000266:history*; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005602:France; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply*; D010827:Physiology / Q000266:history*; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*