This composite features anatomical illustrations from medieval Islamic medical manuscripts, including depictions of the vascular and nervous systems by Persian scholars such as Ibn Sina and Mansur ibn Ilyas, revealing an early and remarkably detailed understanding of human physiology.
Dr. Tareq Yousef wants to stimulate your thinking by showing you diagrams of ancient brains.
The assistant professor of teaching in UBC Okanagan’s Department of Psychology is offering educators another way to incorporate perspectives from outside Western academia.
In an article for the Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, he linked his expertise in neuroanatomy and retinal neuromodulation—how the eye processes visual information—with his passion for student performance and equity in academia.
“This paper is a compendium for educators,” Dr. Yousef explains. “It’s a tool to help instructors expand their teaching materials to include broader perspectives. When we acknowledge the contributions of non-Western civilizations, we’re not only being inclusive; we’re making the curriculum more accurate and engaging.”
His article is a resource for neuroscience instructors and offers valuable lessons for anyone seeking to broaden their viewpoint.
The article focuses on three key historical sources as examples of how education expands the further you look:
- Hasan ibn al-Haytham (Kitab al-Manazir, 11th century, Iraq) is renowned as the father of optics. He was the first to suggest that vision occurs when light reflects off objects and enters the eye, challenging ancient Greek theories. His manuscript contains some of the earliest anatomical illustrations of the eye, establishing the groundwork for modern vision science.
- Ibn Sina (Canon of Medicine, 11th century, Uzbekistan): One of history’s most influential physicians, Ibn Sina (also called Avicenna) suggested that different regions of the brain control reasoning, sensation and memory. This idea foreshadowed modern neuroscience’s understanding of brain function. His Canon of Medicine was a medical textbook for over 600 years.
- Mansur ibn Ilyas (Tashrih-i badan-i insan, 14th century, Iran): He created one of the earliest known full-body anatomical studies, featuring detailed diagrams that distinguish between the centraland peripheral nervous systems. His work combined scientific accuracy with artistic precision, making neuroanatomy more accessible to both students and scholars.
What inspired you to write this article?
I want to help educators expand their worldviews. Although neuroanatomy has historically been taught through a Western lens, there is a rich history of contributions from other parts of the world. I wanted to make it easier for educators to include these perspectives in their teaching.
What makes the historical illustrations you studied so significant?
The illustrations provide visual evidence of an early understanding of the nervous system. For example, Mansur ibn Ilyas’s work from the 14th century demonstrates remarkable detail about the central and peripheral nervous systems centuries before some of the more well-known Western discoveries. These illustrations also remind us of how art and science intersect in education.
How does this work contribute to educational understanding?
This work aligns with broader efforts to decolonize education.
Incorporating diverse perspectives helps create a more inclusive and accurate curriculum, which benefits all students.
What’s the broader takeaway for educators?
Education should reflect the diversity of our world. By including non-Western perspectives, we can make the curriculum more representative and engaging for students from all backgrounds.
What do you hope this work achieves?
I hope it serves as a resource for educators looking to broaden their materials and challenge traditional ways of thinking. It’s a step toward a more inclusive approach to teaching neuroanatomy.
