Anatomical studies at Universidad Central de Venezuela during 1763-1963

Abstract

In Venezuela, Medical studies began in 1763 at Real and Pontifical University of Caracas, conducted by Lorenzo Campins y Ballester. Afterward, José María Vargas, as the first rector of the successive University of Caracas, 1827 reformed the studies of Medicine, Surgery, and Anatomy. He gave lectures and performed anatomical dissections for 25 years. Vargas wrote Curso de Lecciones y demostraciones Anatómicas in 1838. Even under precarious conditions for medical education, a saga of anatomists managed to persist in anatomical studies in Venezuela. In the 20th century, a progressive development in anatomical studies began, led by Luis Razetti and extended by José Izquierdo. Subsequently, these improvements were promoted and developed in both medical schools of the Central University of Venezuela by Jesús Yerena, founder of the Anatomical Museum, and by Francisco Montbrun, founder of “José María Vargas” Medical School and its chair of human anatomy.