GALEN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Why is logic important for physicians according to Galen?. Answer:
Logic is required for accurate diagnosis.
▶ Why are ethics important in medicine for Galen?. Answer: Ethics are
needed for proper patient interaction and behavior.
▶ Which philosophical schools influenced Galen?. Answer: Stoics,
Platonists, Aristotelians, and Epicureans.
▶ How did conflicting philosophical doctrines shape Galen's approach?.
Answer: They led him to pursue "scientific demonstration," combining logic
with empirical evidence.
▶ What was considered Galen's philosophical weakness?. Answer: His
inability to commit fully to one philosophical sect.
▶ What two elements does Galen combine in his medical methodology?.
Answer: Theoretical knowledge and practical experience (Empiricism).
▶ Which major thinkers influenced Galen's physiology?. Answer: Aristotle
and Hippocrates, especially the theory of the 4 humours.
▶ What philosophical model of the soul did Galen adopt?. Answer: Plato's
tripartite soul (rational, spirited, appetitive).
▶ : How did Galen describe the heart?. Answer: As a furnace generating
heat for the body.
▶ What metaphor did Galen use for the stomach and digestion?. Answer:
The stomach is an oven, and digestion is a heating/cooking process called
pepsis.
, ▶ What is chymos in Galenic physiology?. Answer: The digestive juice
produced by the stomach during digestion.
▶ : Where does the digestive juice go after the stomach in Galen's model?.
Answer: It is sent to the liver.
▶ What role does the liver play in Galen's physiology?. Answer: It is the
origin of the veins and produces venous blood, which distributes nutrients
through the body.
▶ Why were animal dissection and vivisection important for Galen?.
Answer: They provided an intimate connection between anatomy and
physiology, allowing him to observe how the body functions.
▶ What was Galen's main goal in performing anatomical studies?.
Answer: To demonstrate bodily functions and prove physiological theories
using anatomy.
▶ What purpose did Galen's public demonstrations serve?. Answer: They
showcased his exceptional skill, demonstrated treatment of the wounded,
and illustrated philosophical claims (e.g., the seat of the soul).
▶ How did Galen structure his medical arguments?. Answer: He moved
from theoretical reasoning to clinical application.
▶ What techniques did Galen use during demonstrations to impress
intellectuals?. Answer: Showmanship and rhetorical persuasion.
▶ How did Galen explain failures by others to reproduce his results?.
Answer: He claimed he was correct, and if others failed, it was because
they lacked skill.
▶ How does Galen view the relationship between food and
pharmacology?. Answer: He sees a distinct connection between the two —
food functions similarly to medicine.
▶ What are the two roles of food according to Galen?. Answer: 1. Nutrition
2. Drug (therapeutic effect)
DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Why is logic important for physicians according to Galen?. Answer:
Logic is required for accurate diagnosis.
▶ Why are ethics important in medicine for Galen?. Answer: Ethics are
needed for proper patient interaction and behavior.
▶ Which philosophical schools influenced Galen?. Answer: Stoics,
Platonists, Aristotelians, and Epicureans.
▶ How did conflicting philosophical doctrines shape Galen's approach?.
Answer: They led him to pursue "scientific demonstration," combining logic
with empirical evidence.
▶ What was considered Galen's philosophical weakness?. Answer: His
inability to commit fully to one philosophical sect.
▶ What two elements does Galen combine in his medical methodology?.
Answer: Theoretical knowledge and practical experience (Empiricism).
▶ Which major thinkers influenced Galen's physiology?. Answer: Aristotle
and Hippocrates, especially the theory of the 4 humours.
▶ What philosophical model of the soul did Galen adopt?. Answer: Plato's
tripartite soul (rational, spirited, appetitive).
▶ : How did Galen describe the heart?. Answer: As a furnace generating
heat for the body.
▶ What metaphor did Galen use for the stomach and digestion?. Answer:
The stomach is an oven, and digestion is a heating/cooking process called
pepsis.
, ▶ What is chymos in Galenic physiology?. Answer: The digestive juice
produced by the stomach during digestion.
▶ : Where does the digestive juice go after the stomach in Galen's model?.
Answer: It is sent to the liver.
▶ What role does the liver play in Galen's physiology?. Answer: It is the
origin of the veins and produces venous blood, which distributes nutrients
through the body.
▶ Why were animal dissection and vivisection important for Galen?.
Answer: They provided an intimate connection between anatomy and
physiology, allowing him to observe how the body functions.
▶ What was Galen's main goal in performing anatomical studies?.
Answer: To demonstrate bodily functions and prove physiological theories
using anatomy.
▶ What purpose did Galen's public demonstrations serve?. Answer: They
showcased his exceptional skill, demonstrated treatment of the wounded,
and illustrated philosophical claims (e.g., the seat of the soul).
▶ How did Galen structure his medical arguments?. Answer: He moved
from theoretical reasoning to clinical application.
▶ What techniques did Galen use during demonstrations to impress
intellectuals?. Answer: Showmanship and rhetorical persuasion.
▶ How did Galen explain failures by others to reproduce his results?.
Answer: He claimed he was correct, and if others failed, it was because
they lacked skill.
▶ How does Galen view the relationship between food and
pharmacology?. Answer: He sees a distinct connection between the two —
food functions similarly to medicine.
▶ What are the two roles of food according to Galen?. Answer: 1. Nutrition
2. Drug (therapeutic effect)
