Key Scientists Who Revolutionized Our Understanding of the Circulatory System

William Harvey (1578-1657)

* English physician who is considered to be the father of modern physiology

* Discovered the circulation of blood

* Published his findings in his book "De motu cordis" (On the Motion of the Heart) in 1628

Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694)

* Italian physician and microscopist

* Made important observations of the capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels that connect arteries to veins

* Also studied the structure of the lungs and kidneys

Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564)

* Belgian physician and anatomist

* Known for his detailed illustrations of the human body

* His book "De humani corporis fabrica" (On the Structure of the Human Body) is considered to be one of the most important works in the history of anatomy

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829)

* French naturalist and biologist

* Proposed a theory of evolution that was based on the idea of "inheritance of acquired characteristics"

* His work influenced the thinking of Charles Darwin