Philip Verheyen (1648-1710) was a well-read, independent scholar whose dedication was captured, with no little exaggeration, in a painting by an anonymous painter in 1715; on the painting we can see Verheyen dissecting his own amputated leg. As much has to be true that as professor of anatomy in Leuven, his working conditions were far from perfect: bodies were rare and difficult to obtain, and facilities for dissection were not yet available (the first dissecting room was not built until 1744, long after his death). His most famous work, 'Corporis humani anatomiae', published in 1693, was reprinted twenty-one times and used as a textbook by many European universities. The illustrations were of poorer quality (probably drawn by Verheyen himself) than those in the anatomical atlases of the time. Verheyen's book was not only an atlas, however, but also a concise handbook that showed its readers that the study of anatomy was an integral part of the study of physiology. It was written specifically for students and was intended by the author to be affordable. It remained a reference work until the mid-18th century. This is the third edition of the work.

The frontispiece is missing. Ink inscriptions on title page. 31 copper engravings with anatomical illustrations. In contemporary vellum binding, with title inscription on spine. With the exception of the title-page, the pages are clean. Overall in very good condition for its age.