Andreae Vesalii Bruxellensis, Invictissimi Caroli V. Imperatoris medici, de Humani corporis fabrica Libri septem.

The 'Series Chartarum' records that the publication is bound chiefly in sixes (terniones), and lists the exceptions.

The publication of Vesalius's De humani corporis fabrica in 1543 had marked an era in the study of anatomy, especially by the quality of its illustrations. It was Vesalius's second book (his Tabulae sex had appeared in 1538); and was accompanied in the same year by his De humani corporis fabrica librorum epitome, and by a German translation of the latter. This 1555 edition of the Fabrica incorporates a number of revisions, chiefly relating to the representing of some features of human anatomy from the dissection of animals; but the text makes clear that some inaccuracies have been deliberately left in, to illustrate mistakes in Galen. The lasting impact of Vesalius's book rested not only on his fresh examination of the body independently of ancient authorities but equally on its careful marriage of text and illustration.

We do not know who cut the original wood-blocks (Jan Stephen van Calcar, Sansovino or Titian have all at various times been suggested). They were re-used, with some recutting, in this 1555 edition.

A piratical copy of the Fabrica (incorporating some text and illustration from the Epitome) was issued in London in 1545 (T. Geminus, Compendiosa totius anatomie delineatio), and an English translation in 1553 - both with good copper-plate copies of the original woodcuts.

The 1555 Fabrica is the oldest work on anatomy in the Royal Academy's Library, and was among the first which the Academy acquired.

Two preparatory drawings for the work are thought to have survived - one at Stockholm and one at Glasgow University.