CASSERIUS, JULIUS

born 1552?, Piacenza, Italy died 1616, Padua Italian Giulio Casserio anatomist who gave the first detailed descriptions of the organs of speech and hearing. His texts are notable for their descriptive accuracy and detailed investigation into human and comparative anatomy. Casserius was a servant of Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente, professor of anatomy and surgery at the University of Padua. Instructed in anatomical dissection by Fabricius and by Hieronymus Mercurialis, he gained such skill that he became the substitute for Fabricius in anatomical instruction in 1604 and after 1609 held the chair of surgery. He was one of William Harvey's instructors. Casserius' anatomical works include De vocis auditusque organis historia anatomica (1601; Anatomical Treatise on the Organs of Speech and Hearing) and Tabulae anatomicae (Anatomical Tables), published posthumously in 1627.