New discoveries and advances in the medical field occur every day. Medical treatments and the understanding of human anatomy have come a long way. However, if it were not for some anatomists, we may not have had the right understanding of the human body, which could have led to errors in surgery and more deaths while treating patients. The Renaissance period was a time when anatomists sought a clearer understanding of the human body. During the Renaissance period, the questions and experiments of anatomists led to great discoveries about the human body. For thousands of years, incorrect anatomical theories were believed to be correct. Theories of using a scientific basis were not used by Europeans until the Renaissance period (“Medicine”). These theories, formulated by a Greek doctor named Galen, were supported by the Catholic Church. The Middle Ages were a difficult time to achieve medical advances because Galen's theories were not to be questioned or tested ("The Impact of the Renaissance on Medicine"). Even after these theories appeared inaccurate, the support of such a high authority made it extremely difficult to change medical practices and training (“Renaissance medicine”). Knowledge of medicine grew dramatically during the Renaissance period (Siralisi 189). Research conducted during the Renaissance period by Andreas Vesalius, Matteo Realdo Colombo, Geronimo Fabrious, Ambroise Pare, and William Harvey has given us a better understanding of human anatomy ("Renaissance medicine"). Once the Renaissance period arrived, anatomists were able to work through the scientific method and find flaws in Galen's theories ("The Impact of the Renaissance on Medicine"). paper ......ways to clean and heal wounds. He realized the importance of cleaning wounds. He also designed the prosthetic limbs and the truss, designed to prevent the growth of hernias (“Medicine”). Works Cited Siraisi, Nancy G. Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine: An Introduction to Knowledge and Practice. University of Chicago Press, 2009. “Renaissance Medicine.” Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011. eLibrary. Network. 13 April 2014."medicine". Compton of Britannica, v 6.0. 2009. eLibrary. Network. April 13, 2014. About William Harvey (Harvey Medical Research Foundation). eLibrary. Network. 13 April 2014."The impact of the Renaissance on medicine." Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011. eLibrary. Network. April 13, 2014."Colombo, Matteo Realdo." Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011. eLibrary. Network. April 15, 2014. "Fabricius, Hieronymus." Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011. eLibrary. Network. April 15. 2014.