Fiveable
Fiveable

William Harvey

Definition

William Harvey was an English physician who made groundbreaking contributions to anatomy and physiology. He is best known for his discovery of the circulation of blood around the body, pumped by the heart.

Analogy

Imagine being the first person to figure out how a car's engine works, explaining how fuel circulates to make it run. That's what William Harvey did for our understanding of the human body!

Related terms

Circulatory System: The system that circulates blood and lymph throughout the body, which was first accurately described by William Harvey.

Cardiology: The study and treatment of disorders of the heart; Harvey's work laid much of the foundation for this field.

Renaissance Medicine: The period when medicine began to rapidly evolve due to scientific discoveries; Harvey’s work on blood circulation is one such example.

"William Harvey" appears in:

Practice Questions (1)

  • William Harvey was known for his discovery about what during the Scientific Revolution?


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.