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 term [zygapophysis] is Greek. [-zyg-] means "yoked" or "paired", [-ap-] means "away" or "out", while the suffix [-(o)physis] means "growth". The term means "a paired outgrowth". Its plural form is "zygapophyses".
The term zygapophysis is used to denote four bony outgrowths or processes found in the posterior aspect of most vertebrae, arising in the zone of junction of pedicle and lamina. The zygapophyses are paired (left and right) and then they are inferior and superior. They are also called "articular processes".
Each zygapophysis presents with a smooth articular surface called an [articular facet]. Each articular facet is covered with hyaline cartilage. Two adjacent articular facets will form a synovial type joint known as a zygapophyseal joint or a facet joint.
In the cervical region the zygapophyseal joints are so close that they form a lateral pillar, known as the "lateral mass" or "articular pillar".
Arthritic degeneration of the zygapophyseal joints can lead to reduced spinal mobility and pain. The image shows the posterior view of a lumbar vertebra. Click on the image for a larger depiction.
Image property of: CAA.Inc. Photographer: David M. Klein
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The suffix [-(o)cyte] arises from the Greek [κελί] meaning "a hollow vessel" or a"cell". The term [-cyt-] can also be used as a root term, also meaning "cell". Examples of its use are:
- Leukocytopenia: A combination of root terms; [leuk], means "white", and [-cyt-] means "cell". The suffix [-(o)penia] means deficiency. A white cell deficiency
- Erythrocyte: The root [-erythr-] means "red". A red cell, referring to a red blood cell
- Leukocyte: The root [-leuk-] means "white". A white cell, referring to a white blood cell
- Blastocyte: The root term [-blast-] is used to mean "to build". A cell that builds. Usually refers to a fibroblast
- Osteoclastocyte: A combination of root terms; [-oste-], means "bone", and [-clast-] means "to destroy". A cell that destroys bone.
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The word [axis] arises from the Greek [άξων] meaning "axle".
[Axis] is the proper name given to the second cervical vertebra (C2). The name is from the action of C2. Because of its odontoid process and associated ligaments and joints, the axis allows the head to pivot around the axis of the odontoid process or dens.
As with all cervical vertebrae, the axis presents with foramina transversaria (no readily visible in the accompanying image), lateral masses with superior and inferior articular facets, pedicles and laminae. Usually the spinous process of C2 is bifid.
There are three atlantoaxial joints (between atlas and axis). Two of them are posterolateral, the zygapophyseal or facet joints. The median atlantoaxial joint between the atlas and the odontoid process of the axis is important in axial rotation of the head.
The superior articular processes of the axis forms part of the posterolateral atlantoaxial joints . In an uncharacteristic situation, the superior articular facet extends slightly from the lateral mass into what is considered the body of C2.
The median atlantoaxial joint components and its related ligaments, the alar ligament, the cruciform ligament, and the apical ligamen of the dens will be featured in separate articles.
Image property of: CAA.Inc. Photographer: David M. Klein
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The term [odontoid] arises from the Greek [δόντι] meaning "tooth". The suffix [-oid] means "similar to". Similar to a tooth.
The odontoid process, also known as the "dens", is a tooth-like bony process found in the anterior aspect of the second cervical vertebra (C2), also known as the "axis" because of its function, serving as a pivot point to the head.
Embryologically, the odontoid process is the body of the first cervicalvertebra (C1, atlas) that has been incorporated into C2. This is proven by the presence, deep in the structure of the dens, of a small remnant of an intervertebral disc-like structure. This concept has been challenged by different authors.
The dens presents a small anterior facet to articulate with the posterior aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas (C1), a posterior area for the attachment of the alar ligaments, and a small ligament at its apex, the apical ligament, that attaches to the inferior aspect of the occipital bone.
Image property of: Photographer: David M. Klein
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This article is part of the series "A Moment in History" where we honor those who have contributed to the growth of medical knowledge in the areas of anatomy, medicine, surgery, and medical research.
Paracelsus
Paracelsus (1493 – 1541). Swiss physician and alchemist , Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus Von Hohenheim was born in Einsiedeln in 1493 (one year after Columbus discovered America) in what is today is Switzerland. At an early age he became a migrant student, visiting several universities including Tubingen, Vienna, Wirttemberg, Heidelberg, and Cologne. There is discussion as to whether he received or not a medical degree, although most authors today agree he might had. In 1510 he moved to Ferrara where he attained (apparently) his medical degree in 1516. During his constant travels he started to understand that folk medical treatment based on actual observation was better than what was published and followed blindly by the physicians of the time.
He started to call himself “Paracelsus” which means “alongside Celsus”, seen as one of the greatest physicians in history. Paracelsus continued his travels, visiting Egypt and Jerusalem. It is at this time that he started delving into the world of alchemy, returning to his home circa 1524.
Paracelsus was appointed “Town Physician” of the city of Basle but created controversy when he started lecturing in German (not Latin) and invited the general public as well as his students to his lectures. In his presentations he introduced the concepts of direct observation of the patient and empirical treatment, based his statements on experiments and reasoning opposing the “classics” Galen, and Avicenna.
In 1527, during a demonstration he publicly burned the works of Avicenna to prove his point. This caused a backlash from the university and town authorities who expelled him in 1528. From this point on, Paracelsus’ life is constant wandering. He settles for a time and then travels again. In spite of his disdain for the works of the “medical greats”, he himself writes a large number of works, including medicine, surgery, theology, astronomy, magic, etc. Many of these works are not published until after his death as he is considered to be contradicting Galen. In 1530 he writes the best description of syphilis and recommended its treatment with mercury.
In 1541 he was appointed to a post on the staff of Duke Ernest of Bavaria, but he died in mysterious circumstances on September 24 of that year at the White Horse Inn in Salzburg.
Paracelsus is a controversial image, bound in legend. For many, Paracelsus was bombastic, quarrelsome, opinionated and a drunkard. For others he is a figure of his time, clashing with the classics and giving us a new way to look at the world and at diseases. He taught that wounds must be allowed to drain and not, as was common, packed with unhealthy materials. According to him, the human body primarily consists of salt, sulphur, and mercury, and it is the separation of these elements that causes illness. He introduced mineral baths and made opium, mercury, lead and other minerals part of his treatment, foreshadowing modern pharmacology with the use of chemical remedies, mercury for syphilis, laudanum and antimony. Paracelsus stated in 1538 that “Everything is a poison, the dose alone which makes a thing not a poison”.
I just discovered an interesting chain of events. For a time Paracelsus had a medical student that later decided not to continue his medical studies and instead dedicated himself to the new art of printing. His name was Johannes Oporinus and he was the printer that Andreas Vesalius selected to print his masterpiece, the "Fabrica".
Sources
1. “Paracelsus” Abbott.A. Nature 366: (1993) 98
2. “Paradigm lost: a celebration of Paracelsus on his quincentenary” Feder. G. Lancet. 341: (1993) 1396-1397
3. “Does Paracelsus deserve a place in the medical pantheon?” Bynum, B. 367: (2006) 29; 1389–1390
4. “Paracelsus: founder of medical chemistry” Endeavour 15:4 (1991) 147
5. “Paracelsus: the medical Luther” Leary B. 73: 3(1984) 131-133
6. “Paracelsus and the Philosopher’s Stone” TenHoor, W. Am J Surg (1935) 30:3 563-572
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This word is of Greek origin composed of the root term [-arthr-], meaning "joint", as in an bony articulation, and the suffix [-(o)desis], meaning "to bind together".
An arthrodesis is the surgical immobilization of a joint by fusion or the application of surgical devices (rods, screws, etc) to the bony components of a joint.