Discovery Circulation of Blood

Galen (c.200) Doctor in Rome

Argued that blood passes through the septum, and the heart pumps it to the muscles, where it is burned up.

William Harvey (1628) London doctor

Proved that blood circulates around the body and described the process.

Leonardo da Vinci (1519) Artist

Detailed drawings of the anatomy of the heart.

Ibn an Nafis (c.1250) Persian doctor

Blood does not go through the septum, and is pumped past the lungs.

Servetus (1553) Italian preacher

Blood goes through the septum and is pumped past the lungs.

Fabricius (1603) Professor at Padua

Discovered that valves in veins only allow blood to go one way.

Columbo (1559) Professor at Padua

Blood does not go through the septum, and is pumped past the lungs

Vesalius (1543) Professor at Padua

Blood does not pass through the septum.

Caesalpino (1571) Professor at Pisa

Noted the term 'circulation' in relation to blood, but could not explain the process.

Discovering the circulation of blood through history