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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UPDATED: The eponymic [Thebesian valve], or valve of the coronary sinus is a fold of endocardial tissue situated at the exit ostium of the coronary sinus. Named after Adam Christian Thebesius, the morphology of the valve presents with anatomical variations that go from total absence (see image here) to endocardial folds that cover up to 65% of the coronary sinus opening (see image in this article). The variations of the Thebesian valve include fenestrations, cribiriform valves, and the presence of pectineal cardiac muscle.
The Thebesian valve is important because it can be an obstruction to the passage of a catheter performing retrograde cardioplegia in electrophysiological studies, catheter ablation, and percutaneous mitral valve repair.
Thanks to Dr. Karuna Katti for allowing us the use of the image in this article. The image shows the interior of the right atrium with the inferior vena cava removed to demonstrate the Thebesian valve. In this case, the Thebesian valve covers >65% of the coronary sinus ostium. A catheter is being passed from the superior vena cava into the coronary sinus ostium.
The image shown a human heart with the right atrium and ventricle opened. VC, inferior vena cava; SVC, superior vena cava; TV, Thebesian valve.
Source:"The Thebesian Valve: Gatekeeper to the Coronary Sinus"Karuna Katti and Nikhil Prakash PatilClin Anat 25:379–385 (2012)
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[Dysmorphism] is a medical term formed by the prefix [dys-] meaning "abnormal", the root term [-morph-], arising from the Greek word [μορφος] (morfos), meaning "form" or "shape", and the suffix [-ism], also of Greek origin, in this case meaning "condition". A condition of abnormal shape, or "misshapen".
The term dysmorphism is used to denote an anatomical anomaly, usually superficial, that goes beyond the objective (and sometimes subjective) boundaries of normalcy. An example of these are craniofacial dysmorphisms associated with specific congenital disorders, such as Crouzon syndrome; birth defects such as hemifacial microsomia, or as in the case of the image on this article, Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency, a metabolic disease.
Some craniofacial dysmorphisms can affect articulation and speech, such as cleft palate, cleft lip (harelip), prognathism, and retrognathism.
Dysmorphism is also used in some mental disorders where the patient has an abnormal self-image, seeing his/her body or body parts as abnormal, when they are not. This is known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and can be associated with obsessive-compulsive behavior, anxiety, or depression. In some cases BDD can be associated or found in eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, or bulimia.
The image shows a small child with mevalonic aciduria, a deficiency of mevalonate kinase deficiency. This is a rare genetic autosomal recessive metabolic disorder.
Thanks to Maria E. Gallegos, Chair of the Speech Pathology School, Iberoamerican University, Santiago Chile, for suggesting this article. Dr. Miranda
Image Source: Haas D, Hoffmann GF. Mevalonate kinase deficiencies: from mevalonic aciduria to hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 1, 13. 2006. PMID 16722536. DOI:10.1186/1750-1172-1-13 Image in the public domain
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Coccyx, anterior view
The word [coccyx] arises from the Greek term [κούκος] (pronounced koúkos)and means "cuckoo". It is the name of the lower segment of the spinal column, and was named by Herophilus of Alexandria (325-255BC) because of a resemblance of this structure to the bill of the cuckoo bird. Vesalius also used the same analogy. There is another structure of the body named after the beak of a bird, do you know it? If not, click here.
The coccyx (vernacularly known as "tailbone") is usually represented by four rudimentary vertebrae, although the number varies between 3 to 5 vertebrae. There have been reported cases of "human tails" but these do not have a bony structure and are usually related to congenital abnormalities such as spina bifida.
The coccyx has a well-formed superior component, which usually presents with two cornua (horns) which serve as part of a rudimentary zygapophyseal (facet) joint. The lower coccygeal vertebra is usually a small bony node.
The coccyx has an anterior sacrococcygeal ligament, which is continued with the anoccygeal raphe, a ligamentous structure that serves as a posterior attachment for muscular components of the pelvic diaphragm, and helps anchor the anal canal. The coccygeus muscle, the posterior component of the pelvic diaphragm and part of the sacrospinous ligament also attach to the anterolateral aspect of the coccyx.
Coccygeal pain is referred to as coccydynia.
Sources:
1. "The Origin of Medical Terms" Skinner, HA 1970 Hafner Publishing Co.
2. "Medical Meanings - A Glossary of Word Origins" Haubrich, WD. ACP Philadelphia
3. "Dorlands's Illustrated Medical Dictionary" 26th Ed. W.B. Saunders 1994
5 "Tratado de Anatomia Humana" Testut et Latarjet 8 Ed. 1931 Salvat Editores, Spain
6. "Anatomy of the Human Body" Henry Gray 1918. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger
Image modified by CAA, Inc. Original image courtesy of bartleby.com
Note: Google Translate includes the symbol (?). Clicking on it will allow you to hear the pronunciation of the word.
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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!