 He studied medicine at the University of Utrecht, and furthered his studies in Paris, where he received his degree in 1823.In 1829 he became a professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Groningen, and in 1831 a professor of anatomy, physiology and natural sciences at the Athenaeum Illustre (University of Amsterdam), where he remained for the rest of his career.Vrolik made contributions in the fields of comparative anatomy and comparative zoology, and also did important research of skeletal disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta.