An operating theater (or theatre) was a tiered theatre or amphitheatre in which students and other spectators could watch surgeons perform surgery. Today the term is sometimes used synonymously with operating room (OR) or operating suite, the room within a hospital where surgical operations are carried out today.
Surviving operating theaters
While operating theaters are no longer used for surgery, some still exist. One of the oldest surviving operating theaters is the Old Operating Theatre in London. Built in 1822, it is now a museum of surgical history. But that still exist, the oldest permanent anatomy theater was the University of Padova in Italy, commissioned by the anatomist Girolamo Fabrizio d'Acquapendente in 1594, inside the Palazzo Bo.
Surviving operating theaters
While operating theaters are no longer used for surgery, some still exist. One of the oldest surviving operating theaters is the Old Operating Theatre in London. Built in 1822, it is now a museum of surgical history. But that still exist, the oldest permanent anatomy theater was the University of Padova in Italy, commissioned by the anatomist Girolamo Fabrizio d'Acquapendente in 1594, inside the Palazzo Bo.
