Sir William Turner and his studies on the mammalian placenta

Abstract

William Turner was appointed Professor of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh in 1867, and from 1903 until his death in 1916, he was Principal and Vice-Chancellor. He was an outstanding teacher and many of those he taught went on to occupy chairs of anatomy. He published widely on anatomical subjects and one of his interests was comparative anatomy and physiology of the placenta. This paper takes a brief look at Turner's studies on the anatomical structure of the placenta, its comparative anatomy, his thoughts about its physiology and its place in the evolutionary process. At the time, these lectures constituted an anatomical and physiological classic. At the time Turner prepared his lectures, which were delivered in 1875 and 1876, little was known about the gestatory process in marsupials or monotremes. These mammals have a very brief period of intrauterine gestation and placentation and mention is made of studies that have been done in recent times on this subject.

Edinburgh, the Scottish pioneers of anatomy and their lasting influence in South Africa

“…14 He was not only a celebrated teacher and reformer of anatomy pedagogy, but also a prolific scientist with various publications on the subject matter. 14,15 The first Scottish anatomists in South Africa…”

Some historical aspects of understanding placental development, structure and function

“…(Turner, 1876, p 114ff). Despite this confusing view of placental function, Sir William Turner made important contributions to an understanding of placental structure and its comparative anatomy (Haig, 1997;Magee, 2003;Turner, 1872;1876a;1876b). Another issue of disagreement at this time was the nature of the outermost cells of the placental villi in the human.…”

Sir William Turner (1832–1916) – Lancastrian, anatomist and champion of the Victorian era

“…Sir William Turner was known as a distinguished teacher of anatomy, a reformer of medical education and a scientist with an extensive list of publications. 1,2 His outlook on the importance of science in medical education was captured during his address at Oxford in 1893:…”

“…William Turner was born on 7 January 1832 at number 7 Friar Street, Lancaster, Lancashire. [2][3][4] He was born 28 years after another a remarkable anatomist, palaeontologist and Lancastrian, Sir Richard Owen (1804-1892). 5 Turner revered Owen and regarded him as the Nestor of British Anatomists.…”

“…Various publications successfully capture Turner's accomplishments, but very little is known about the factors that determined his chosen career path, his involvement in the reform of medical education through his contribution towards the Medical Acts (1858 and 1886) and his interaction with other giants of the Victorian era. [1][2][3]6 Medical training and Edinburgh career Turner's character developed from his own exertions and out of necessity as a result of growing up without paternal guidance and under strenuous economic conditions. His self-reliance and an early recognition of the value of untiring hard work contributed towards shaping his future.…”