The coffered ceiling, made in 1645 by Antonio Levanti, is decorated with symbolic figures representing fourteen constellations and, in the centre, Apollo, the protector of medicine, positioned in the centre. 

The choice to paint an astrological theme goes back to the tradition of consulting the stars before proceeding with operations or administering drugs, according to a conception of medicine that is influenced throughout Europe by the ancient science spread by the Arabs since the time of the conquest of Spain. 

Astrology was associated with medicine, and every part of the body was placed under the protection of a zodiacal sign. Moreover, Astrology continued to be a subject of study at the University of Bologna at the end of the seventeenth century. 

The decoration of the ceiling reflects a certain way of conceiving humans and their biological life in relation to nature and the cosmos. 

This is the ceiling of the Anatomical Theatre in a woodcut of 1668, attributed to Matteo Barboni and Lorenzo Tinti.
The arrangement of the figures reflects the current one, except for Andromeda and Sagittarius, that are inverted.