Anatomia Hepatis

1681

Health Sciences Historical Collection WZ250 G561 1681

Hagae-Comitum: Arnoldum Leers

The English title of this volume reads ‘Anatomy of the Liver’, where Glisson attempts to relate anatomy to the Aristotelian theory of the elements, which was based on the elements earth, water, air, and fire. Aristotle added a fifth, aether. Published in 1654, Glisson’s book was the first devoted to the structure and function of the liver. His anatomy is very accurate, describing how the portal vein, bile duct, and hepatic artery branches all stay together forming the ‘portal triad’ as they divide. He also demonstrated what is now known as ‘Glisson’s capsule’ – the surface covering of the liver that surrounds the portal triad as it passes to the interior.