Georg Meissner
Encyclopedia
Georg Meissner was a German
anatomist and physiologist born in Hannover.
He studied medicine at the University of Göttingen, where he worked closely with Rudolf Wagner
(1806-1864). In 1851 he accompanied Wagner and Theodor Billroth
(1829-1894) on an expedition to Trieste
, where he performed scientific studies of torpedo fish. In 1852 he earned his doctorate at Göttingen
, and was later a university professor at Basel
(from 1855), Freiburg
(from 1857) and Göttingen (from 1860 to 1901).
His name is associated with Meissner's corpuscle
s, which are mechanoreceptor
s that are responsible for sensitivity to light touch. They were first described in 1852, with Meissner and Wagner each feeling that he alone should be given priority as to discovery of the corpuscles. A controversy took place between the two men, causing a strained relationship that lasted for several years.
His name is also associated with Meissner's plexus, which is the plexus submucosus of the alimentary tract. He also conducted research of physiological-chemical problems, in particular studies on the nature and the breakdown of proteins in the digestive system.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
anatomist and physiologist born in Hannover.
He studied medicine at the University of Göttingen, where he worked closely with Rudolf Wagner
Rudolf Wagner
Rudolf Wagner was a German anatomist and physiologist and the co-discoverer of the germinal vesicle. He made important investigations on ganglia, nerve-endings, and the sympathetic nerves.-Life:...
(1806-1864). In 1851 he accompanied Wagner and Theodor Billroth
Theodor Billroth
Christian Albert Theodor Billroth was a German-born Austrian surgeon and amateur musician....
(1829-1894) on an expedition to Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, where he performed scientific studies of torpedo fish. In 1852 he earned his doctorate at Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
, and was later a university professor at Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
(from 1855), Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
(from 1857) and Göttingen (from 1860 to 1901).
His name is associated with Meissner's corpuscle
Meissner's corpuscle
Meissner's corpuscles are a type of mechanoreceptor. They are a type of nerve ending in the skin that is responsible for sensitivity to light touch. In particular, they have highest sensitivity when sensing vibrations lower than 50 Hertz...
s, which are mechanoreceptor
Mechanoreceptor
A mechanoreceptor is a sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion. There are four main types in the glabrous skin of humans: Pacinian corpuscles, Meissner's corpuscles, Merkel's discs, and Ruffini corpuscles...
s that are responsible for sensitivity to light touch. They were first described in 1852, with Meissner and Wagner each feeling that he alone should be given priority as to discovery of the corpuscles. A controversy took place between the two men, causing a strained relationship that lasted for several years.
His name is also associated with Meissner's plexus, which is the plexus submucosus of the alimentary tract. He also conducted research of physiological-chemical problems, in particular studies on the nature and the breakdown of proteins in the digestive system.
Written works
- Beitraege zur Anatomie und Physiologie der Haut, Leipzig 1853
- Beiträge zur Physiologie des Sehorgans, Leipzig 1854
- Über die Nerven der Darmwand, Z Ration Med N F 8: 364-366 Meissner G. (1857)
- Untersuchungen über den Sauerstoff, Hannover: Hahn, 1863
- Zur Funktion der Knäueldrüsen, In: Zwei vergessene arbeiten aus der klassischen Periode der Hautanatomie of Paul Gerson UnnaPaul Gerson UnnaPaul Gerson Unna, was a German physician specialized in dermatology and one of the pioneers in dermatopathology....
, Hamburg: Voss 1889