Why is it critical to use the Updated "Terminologia Anatomica" (TA2)

Medical Terminology Daily (MTD) is a blog sponsored by Clinical Anatomy Associates, Inc. as a service to the medical community. We post anatomical, medical or surgical terms, their meaning and usage, as well as biographical notes on anatomists, surgeons, and researchers through the ages. Be warned that some of the images used depict human anatomical specimens.

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A Moment in History

Georg Eduard Von Rindfleisch
(1836 – 1908)

German pathologist and histologist of Bavarian nobility ancestry. Rindfleisch studied medicine in Würzburg, Berlin, and Heidelberg, earning his MD in 1859 with the thesis “De Vasorum Genesi” (on the generation of vessels) under the tutelage of Rudolf Virchow (1821 - 1902). He then continued as a assistant to Virchow in a newly founded institute in Berlin. He then moved to Breslau in 1861 as an assistant to Rudolf Heidenhain (1834–1897), becoming a professor of pathological anatomy. In 1865 he became full professor in Bonn and in 1874 in Würzburg, where a new pathological institute was built according to his design (completed in 1878), where he worked until his retirement in 1906.

He was the first to describe the inflammatory background of multiple sclerosis in 1863, when he noted that demyelinated lesions have in their center small vessels that are surrounded by a leukocyte inflammatory infiltrate.

After extensive investigations, he suspected an infectious origin of tuberculosis - even before Robert Koch's detection of the tuberculosis bacillus in 1892. Rindfleisch 's special achievement is the description of the morphologically conspicuous macrophages in typhoid inflammation. His distinction between myocardial infarction and myocarditis in 1890 is also of lasting importance.

Associated eponyms

"Rindfleisch's folds": Usually a single semilunar fold of the serous surface of the pericardium around the origin of the aorta. Also known as the plica semilunaris aortæ.

"Rindfleisch's cells": Historical (and obsolete) name for eosinophilic leukocytes.

Personal note: G. Rindfleisch’s book “Traité D' Histologie Pathologique” 2nd edition (1873) is now part of my library. This book was translated from German to French by Dr. Frédéric Gross (1844-1927) , Associate Professor of the Medicine Faculty in Nancy, France. The book is dedicated to Dr. Theodore Billroth (1829-1894), an important surgeon whose pioneering work on subtotal gastrectomies paved the way for today’s robotic bariatric surgery. Dr. Miranda.

Sources:
1. "Stedmans Medical Eponyms" Forbis, P.; Bartolucci, SL; 1998 Williams and Wilkins
2. "Rindfleisch, Georg Eduard von (bayerischer Adel?)" Deutsche Biographie
3. "The pathology of multiple sclerosis and its evolution" Lassmann H. (1999) Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 354 (1390): 1635–40.
4. “Traité D' Histologie Pathologique” G.E.
Rindfleisch 2nd Ed (1873) Ballieres et Fils. Paris, Translated by F Gross

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Why is it critical to use the Updated "Terminologia Anatomica" (TA2)

Published: Monday, March 03, 2025 07:00 | Written by: Prof. C. Uribe | Hits: 800

The anatomical framework of the seven books
that comprise Vesalius' Fabrica

As an educator with over 20 years teaching Human Anatomy, I have witnessed how accurate and up-to-date language can transform teaching and learning in health sciences.

The recent publication of Anatomical Terminology 2 (TA2), made freely available by the International Federation of Anatomists' Associations (IFAA), represents a significant advance that all professionals in the field should adopt as soon as possible.

Anatomical terminology is not simply a list of terms, but the basis for clear, effective and universal communication. The TA2 update addresses not only necessary changes resulting from new anatomical research and discoveries, but also substantial improvements in consistency and accuracy. This is especially relevant today, when globalization and digitalization demand accurate communication between professionals from different countries and specialties.

Using TA2 involves:

Unifying anatomical criteria globally.
Facilitating the teaching of anatomy with clear and precise terms.
Improving the quality and safety of healthcare by reducing misunderstandings.
Empowering scientific research by ensuring consistency in academic publications.

I invite fellow teachers, students and health professionals to familiarize themselves with TA2 and actively apply it in their academic and clinical practices. Let us take advantage of this tool to continue raising the standard of our work and the quality of anatomy education.

You can consult TA2 directly at this link: https://libraries.dal.ca/Fipat/ta2.html

What has been your experience with the update of anatomical terminologies?... Are you ready to integrate TA2 into your teaching and professional practice?