Al-Zahrawi

Al-Zahrawi (936–1013 AD), also known as Abulcasis, was an Arab physician and surgeon who lived in Al-Andalus. He is considered the greatest surgeon of the Middle Ages, and has been described as the father of surgery.

Early life and education

Al-Zahrawi was born in the city of El Zahra, 8 kilometers northwest of Cordoba, Andalusia. The exact date of his birth is not known, but it is believed to be in 936 AD. He was educated in Cordoba, which was the intellectual center of the Islamic world during the 10th century.

Career

Al-Zahrawi served in the court of King Al-Hakam II and was the personal physician to the Caliph 'Abd al-Rahman III. He devoted his entire life to medicine and wrote many medical books. His most significant work is the Kitab al-Tasrif, a 30-volume encyclopedia of medical practices.

Contributions to medicine

Al-Zahrawi's work was the first to illustrate the various tools used in surgery. He introduced over 200 surgical instruments, many of which are still used in modern medicine. He also made significant contributions to the fields of ophthalmology, dentistry, and childbirth.

Legacy

Al-Zahrawi's work had a profound impact on medicine and surgery. His texts were translated into Latin in the 12th century and became the standard reference in European medicine for the next 500 years.

See also

• Islamic Golden Age
• History of medicine
• History of surgery

External links

• Al-Zahrawi on WikiMD

Al-Zahrawi Resources
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