Final answer:
Leonardo da Vinci and Andreas Vesalius were pivotal in advancing the understanding of human anatomy through the dissection of human bodies, which was later adopted in medical education. The invention of X-ray imaging ushered in non-surgical methods for studying the internal structures of the human body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who advanced an understanding of human anatomy by dissecting human bodies include illustrious figures such as the Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci and the Flemish anatomist Andreas Vesalius. During the Renaissance, at a time when surgeries were infrequent and based mainly on external observations, these pioneers defied the prohibitions and limitations of their eras to study the internal structures of human bodies through dissection. Both made significant advancements with Leonardo dissecting at least 30 corpses, and Vesalius is known for his detailed anatomical drawings and texts. In time, the practice of dissection was incorporated into medical schools, and along with the eventual donation of bodies, facilitated the detailed study of human anatomy. It wasn't until the late nineteenth century, with the invention of X-ray imaging, that non-surgical methods to observe internal structures came into existence, marking the beginning of a new era for medical imaging.