Galen agreed (about 500 years later) that Aristotle had the correct organ but argued that his methodology was wrong. Galen recommended dissection.
Dissection (the Latin word dissecare means to cut to pieces) is the detailed analysis of a structure by cutting it into smaller discrete segments.
From his observations he concluded that the heart is the center of life. It is comprised of tough muscles tissue, and has many nerves attached to it. Also, it expands when active or when experiencing emotion. Clearly, it must be the center of thinking and emotion.
As a mnemonic, remember that Aristotle watched the chickens and Galen dissected them for dinner. Actually, Galen dissected monkey and pigs but it is a good way to remember the difference.
We don’t dissect animals much any more. There is no need. The video simulations and practice dummies do an amazing job of teaching surgical skills.
