Hieronymus Fabricius

Hieronymus Fabricius is the Latin name by which the Italian anatomist Girolamo Fabrici (May 20 1537 – May 21 1619) is better known. Also known as Fabrizo d'Acquapendente and (Italian) Geronimo Fabrizio.

Fabrici was born in Acquapendente and studied at Padua, receiving an MD in 1559 under the guidance of Gabriel Fallopio where he eventually became professor of anatomy and surgery in Padua from 1562. One of his pupils during his tenure was William Harvey. Another was Adriaan van den Spieghel.

By dissecting animals, Fabricius investigated the formation of the foetus, the structure of the oesophagus, stomach and bowels, and the peculiarities of the eye, the ear and the larynx. His main claim to fame is the discovery of the membranous folds, which he names "valves" in the interior of veins that, at the time he did not know but what was later discovered, prevent blood from flowing backwards on its way to the heart.

Fabricius's pioneer earned him the title of 'The Father of Embryology' in Italian medical science.