Jacob Augustus Lockhart Clarke
Encyclopedia
Jacob Augustus Lockhart Clarke (1817 – January 25, 1880) was a British
physiologist and neurologist
who is primarily known for his studies of the brain and the spinal cord
.
Clarke was the first to establish the location of the nucleus dorsalis, which he then called "posterior vesicular columns", and described the nucleus intermediolateralis
. He also differentiated the medial cuneate nucleus
from the lateral cuneate nucleus (also called "Monakow's nucleus" after neuropathologist Constantin von Monakow). Clarke is credited with introducing the histological
technique of mounting cleared sections of tissue in balsam
media.
He published numerous essays regarding the anatomy and physiology of the medulla oblongata
and the spinal cord. He also had works published regarding his studies with tetanus
, diabetes, paraplegia
and muscular atrophy. Clarke's nucleus (also known as the Column of Clarke
) and Clarke's body are anatomical structures named after him.
He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in June, 1854 and awarded their Royal Medal
in 1864.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
physiologist and neurologist
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
who is primarily known for his studies of the brain and the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
.
Clarke was the first to establish the location of the nucleus dorsalis, which he then called "posterior vesicular columns", and described the nucleus intermediolateralis
Intermediolateral nucleus
The intermediolateral nucleus is a region of gray matter found in Rexed lamina VII of the spinal column.Rexed Lamina VII contains several well defined nuclei including the nucleus dorsalis , the intermediolateral cell column , and the sacral autonomic nucleus.It extends from the first thoracic...
. He also differentiated the medial cuneate nucleus
Cuneate nucleus
One of the dorsal column nuclei, the cuneate nucleus is a wedge-shaped nucleus in the closed part of the medulla oblongata. It contains cells that give rise to the cuneate tubercle, visible on the posterior aspect of the medulla...
from the lateral cuneate nucleus (also called "Monakow's nucleus" after neuropathologist Constantin von Monakow). Clarke is credited with introducing the histological
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
technique of mounting cleared sections of tissue in balsam
Canada balsam
Canada balsam, also called Canada turpentine or balsam of fir, is a turpentine which is made from the resin of the balsam fir tree of boreal North America...
media.
He published numerous essays regarding the anatomy and physiology of the medulla oblongata
Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata is the lower half of the brainstem. In discussions of neurology and similar contexts where no ambiguity will result, it is often referred to as simply the medulla...
and the spinal cord. He also had works published regarding his studies with tetanus
Tetanus
Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani...
, diabetes, paraplegia
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. The word comes from Ionic Greek: παραπληγίη "half-striking". It is usually the result of spinal cord injury or a congenital condition such as spina bifida that affects the neural elements of the spinal canal...
and muscular atrophy. Clarke's nucleus (also known as the Column of Clarke
Column of Clarke
Clarke's column is a group of interneurons found in Lamina VII, also known as the intermediate zone, of the spinal cord.-Anatomy:...
) and Clarke's body are anatomical structures named after him.
He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in June, 1854 and awarded their Royal Medal
Royal Medal
The Royal Medal, also known as The Queen's Medal, is a silver-gilt medal awarded each year by the Royal Society, two for "the most important contributions to the advancement of natural knowledge" and one for "distinguished contributions in the applied sciences" made within the Commonwealth of...
in 1864.