RESUMEN
In the first half of the 3rd-century BC in Alexandria, the Greek physicians Herophilus of Chalcedon (ca. 330 to ca. 260 BC) and Erasistratus of Chios (ca. 315 to ca. 240 BC) became the first scientists in antiquity to comprehensively study the anatomical underpinnings and the physiological properties of mind processes. Their scientific theories were based on experimental evidence arising from anatomical human dissection studies. Among their neuroscientific achievements were the discovery of the cranial nerves, the meninges, the dural sinuses and the ventricles; the delineation of the motor and sensory nerves; the appraisal of the brain as the seat of consciousness and human intellect; and the attribution of neurological disease to dysfunction of the nervous system. This paper will discuss the short-lived historical circumstances that enabled the ground-breaking progress in the domain of brain sciences during the Hellenistic period. In addition, this paper will examine the intriguing social, political and cultural interplays that determined the resonance of Herophilus and Erasistratus's work and influenced the course of history of neuroscience.
Asunto(s)
Neurociencias/historia , Médicos/historia , Disección , Mundo Griego , Historia Antigua , HumanosRESUMEN
Alexandria's famous medical school was established about 300 BC. It was the seat of learning for many Greco-Roman physicians. The physiologist Erasistratus, the anatomist Herophilus - named the Father of Anatomy were outstanding pioneers. Their work and discoveries of the nervous system, its structure and function, are described. In the 2nd century AD they were succeeded by Rufus of Ephesus - the medical link between Hippocrates and Galen, - and Aretaeus a leading anatomist and physician in this period.
Asunto(s)
Mundo Griego/historia , Fenómenos Fisiológicos del Sistema Nervioso , Sistema Nervioso/anatomía & histología , Sistema Nervioso/patología , Facultades de Medicina/historia , Anatomía/historia , Historia Antigua , Humanos , Patología Clínica/historia , Médicos/historia , Fisiología/historiaRESUMEN
Neuron, a Greek term with a rustic background, made much of its way to its current significance since antiquity, when full recognition was achieved that sensory and motor signals travel through the animal body along nerves (neura, plural). Drawing from classic and recent historical scholarship, this study identifies the successive steps toward such a major breakthrough, starting from the usage of the expression in archaic times and continuing up to the much later transference of a mature theory into the modern world. It is shown that four main consecutive stages may be distinguished in the process: (a) incorporation of the word into early anatomical terminology; (b) theorizing on material composition, origin, properties, and role of the neura in animal bodies; (c) functional association of the neura with a transmitting vehicle; (d) identification of true anatomical and physiological correspondences. Upon this over 2000-year-old foundation is still being built one of the most relevant and fascinating scientific adventures of all time.
Asunto(s)
Neuronas , Terminología como Asunto , Animales , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Historia Antigua , Humanos , Transmisión SinápticaRESUMEN
El año de 1975, el Profesor Jorge Melgarejo Durán preguntó, a un grupo de alumnos que hacíamos prácticas de Anatomía Humana en el segmento Cabeza y Cuello, sobre la prensa o tórculo de Herófilo (Fig. 1), todos nos miramos extrañados al desconocer la existencia de dicha estructura anatómica. Posteriormente, nos enteramos que la protuberancia occipital interna,1,2,3 es decir, la confluencia de los senos longitudinal y transversal deloccipital, recibía dicha denominación en honor a uno delos Padres de la Anatomía Antigua...
Asunto(s)
Historia de la MedicinaRESUMEN
Erasistratus de Ceos (310-250 a.C.) es considerado uno de los precursores del estudio e investigación en el área anatómica, realizando las primeras disecciones junto con Herophilus su maestro, fundador de las Escuelas de Medicina y Anatomía de Alejandría. Realizó importantes aportes en el estudio y enseñanza de la neuroanatomía, entre otras disciplinas anatómicas.
Erasistratus of Ceos (310-250 b.C) is considered one of the precursors of study and research in the anatomical area, doing the first dissections along with Herophilus, their teacher, founder of the Schools of Medicine and Anatomy of Alexandria. He made important contributions in the study and teaching of neuroanatomy, among other anatomical disciplines.