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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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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The [coracoid process] is a curved bony projection that attaches to the superior aspect of the neck of the scapula . At its origin it has a broad base continuous with a segment that projects slightly superomedially, it then continues anterolaterally with a narrower distal segment.
The pectoralis minor and coracobrachialis muscles attach to the coracoid process as well as the tendon of the short head of the biceps brachii muscle. The trapezoid and conoid ligaments, which also attach to the clavicle, attach to the coracoid process.
The root term [-corac-] originates from the Greek word [κοράκι] (koríki), meaning “raven” or “crow. The suffix [-oid], also of Greek origin, means “similar to". The word [coracoid] was coined because of the similarity of the coracoid process to a raven’s beak.
Trivia question: What other part of the body is named after a bird’s beak? For the answer, click here. What other parts of the body are named after birds? For the answer, click here.
The image shows the anterior view of the left scapula. Modified from image in Public Domain, by Henry Vandyke Carter - Gray's Anatomy
Source:
“Gray’s Anatomy” Henry Gray, 1918
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The [acromion] is a bony process found at the superolateral end of the spine of the scapula forming the highest point of the shoulder. It is a flattened somewhat triangular bony process that is found superior to the glenoid cavity. The trapezius and deltoid muscles attach to the acromion.
The term [acromion] is formed by two Greek roots; [άκρο] (ákro), meaning “end” or “point”, and [ώμος] (omos), meaning “shoulder”. The term [acromion] is quite descriptive, as it means the “point of the shoulder.
The image shows the anterior view of the left scapula. Modified from image in Public Domain, by Henry Vandyke Carter - Gray's Anatomy
Source:
“Gray’s Anatomy” Henry Gray, 1918
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UPDATED: From the Greek, the prefix [ana-] meaning "trough" or "up", the root term [-tom-], arising from [τομή] (tomi) meaning "to cut", and the suffix [-y], meaning "process". The word [anatomy] means then, "a process of cutting up", a very good description of what anatomists do. What is interesting is that the word anatomy describes an action, and as such can be used as a verb. It is correct to say "to anatomize" when referring to the act of dissecting a body or body part.
The word "anatomy" has the same meaning as "dissection", a word with Latin roots. The prefix [dis-] means "apart", while the root term [-section] means "to cut". [-section] arises from the Latin [sectis] or [secare]. both meaning "to cut".
Today the term [anatomy] is used to describe one of the basic medical sciences; in the Middle Ages the terms to "dissect" or to "anatomize" were interchangeable.
Anatomy is "the study of the human body, its parts and components, and the spatial relationship between this components". For many, anatomy is at the basis of the Science of Surgery
There are many subspecialties in anatomy, including:
• Gross anatomy: That anatomy that can be seen with the naked eye
• Surface anatomy: The correlation between superficial landmarks and internal structures and organs
• Clinical anatomy: The study of anatomy and its relation to physiology, pathology, and surgical treatment
Personal note: The improper pronunciation of the term [dissection] is one of my pet peeves!
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UPDATED: The word [anesthesia] is formed by the prefix [an-] meaning "without" or absence of", and the Greek root term [-esthesia-] means "sensation". Skinner (1970) mentions that the suffix [-ia] means "condition". Thus analyzed, the word [anesthesia] means "a condition of absence of sensation". The word was coined and first used by Oliver W. Holmes Sr. (1809 - 1894).
The search for an anesthetic agent that could alleviate pain and help surgery has ancient origins, potions, alcohol, and herbal remedies had been used until the discovery of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) first, and ether second. It was this latter element, pioneered by William T.G. Morton (1819–1868), that started a revolution in surgery.
In 1846 Morton working as the anesthetist helped a public demonstration of surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital. This was the first use of anesthesia in surgery. The event was so important that drawings and paintings were made. See the accompanying image.
After this demonstration, research was continued and the anesthetic properties of many compounds were discovered, leading to modern anesthetics.
The operation took place on October 16, 1846, in the first operating room built at the Massachusetts General Hospital. This room has been preserved and is today known as the "Ether Dome". You can read an article on a visit I made to this historic place. Dr. Miranda
Original image (public domain) courtesy of "Images from the History of Medicine" at www.nih.gov
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UPDATED: The suffix [-esthesia] is Greek, arising from the word [αίσθηση] (a?sthi?si?) meaning "sensation". Some of the applications of the term are as follows:
Note: The links to Google Translate include an icon that will allow you to hear the Greek or Latin pronunciation of the word. |
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The term [ostium] is Latin and means "mouth" or "opening". The origin of the meaning of this term is debated and seems to come from the Latin term [os], meaning mouth. Latin derivatives of this term are [osculum] and [oscularetur]; "kiss" and "kissing", respectively. The plural form for ostium is [ostia]
There are several named ostia in the human body. An example is presented in the accompanying image, showing the ostium of the coronary sinus. Another example are the ostia of the coronary arteries found in the aortic valve (one of the semilunar valves)
Image property of: CAA.Inc.