Herophilus, Erasistratus, Aretaeus, and Galen: ancient roots of the Bell–Magendie Law

Tomey, Matthew I.; Komotar, Ricardo J.; Mocco, J

doi:10.3171/foc-07/07/e12

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…However, according to Galen’s writings (centuries earlier), 10 Herophilus and Erasistratus had already noted the separate neural pathways for motor and sensory functions. 24,25 ○ He recognized and differentiated the spinal and cranial nerves, and he demonstrated that the nerves of the spinal cord were directly attached to the brain. He described at least seven pairs of cranial nerves and designated six of them as follows: optic, oculomotor, trigeminal, facial, auditory and hypoglossal.…”

Section: The Treatises Of Herophilus Of Chalcedonmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The footprints of neuroscience in Alexandria during the 3rd-century BC: Herophilus and Erasistratus

Stefanou

2018

J Med Biogr

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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.

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Section: The Treatises Of Herophilus Of Chalcedonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, according to Galen’s writings (centuries earlier), 10 Herophilus and Erasistratus had already noted the separate neural pathways for motor and sensory functions. 24,25…”

Section: The Treatises Of Herophilus Of Chalcedonmentioning

confidence: 99%

The footprints of neuroscience in Alexandria during the 3rd-century BC: Herophilus and Erasistratus

Stefanou

2018

J Med Biogr

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“…Herophilus proceeded also in detailed dissection and description of the cranial and spinal nerves, distinguishing them and their roots into sensory and motor ones. 17 Herophilus by his meticulous neuroanatomical observations concluded that the brain was definitely the dominant organ in Man (the hegemonicon, the governing principle of the body), which motivates and controls all bodily actions and activities. 18 Erasistratus of Chios or Ceos (304-250 BC) was recognized as one of the most famous neurologists in the Hellenistic period.…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2018

JNSK

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leading cosmopolitan center of Civilization, Philosophy, Science and Education, a real arsenal of scientific knowledge and culture, which was playing a decisive role upon the civilization of the Late Antiquity, the Islamic middle age and the Modern European Science. Neurosciences possessed a dominant place in the Hellenistic School of Medicine. 2 The brain as the organ of mind and intelligence, closely related with the soul, the center of the conscious life and reasoning, attracted the attention of physicians, philosophers and many intellectuals in other disciplines. In Alexandria, the Hippocratic Medicine was enriched by many original, important observations on Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System by the eminent Physicians of the School of Alexandria, who were also deeply influenced by the rich philosophical background of the Hellenistic world.

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“…Although Charles Bell and François Magendie, have both claimed the honor of discovering that dorsal spinal roots mediate sensation and ventral spinal roots carry motor fibres, it is believed that ancient anatomists such as Herophilus and Erasistratus had already appreciated the separate neural pathways during their time (Tomey et al, 2007). It is suggested by Rufus in De anatomia partium hominis that both of them knew of the existence of "two kinds of nerves," that could either induce "voluntary motion" or are "capable of sensation" (Rocca 2003).…”

Section: Anatomical Discoveries Of the Human Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

Greek anatomist herophilus: the father of anatomy

Bay

2010

Anat Cell Biol

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One of the most stirring controversies in the history of Anatomy is that Herophilus, an ancient Greek anatomist and his younger contemporary, Erasistratus, were accused of performing vivisections of living humans. However, this does not detract from the fact that Herophilus has made phenomenal anatomical observations of the human body which have contributed significantly towards the understanding of the brain, eye, liver, reproductive organs and nervous system. It is notable that he was the first person to perform systematic dissection of the human body and is widely acknowledged as the Father of Anatomy. He has been hailed as one of the greatest anatomists that ever lived, rivaled only by Andreas Vesalius who is regarded as the founder of modern human anatomy.

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Herophilus, Erasistratus, Aretaeus, and Galen: ancient roots of the Bell–Magendie Law

Cited by 10 publications

References 4 publications

The footprints of neuroscience in Alexandria during the 3rd-century BC: Herophilus and Erasistratus

The footprints of neuroscience in Alexandria during the 3rd-century BC: Herophilus and Erasistratus

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Greek anatomist herophilus: the father of anatomy

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