Ludwig Türck
Encyclopedia
Ludwig Türck was an Austrian neurologist
who was a native of Vienna
. In 1836 he obtained his medical doctorate from the University of Vienna
, where in 1864 he became a full professor.
He is remembered for his pioneer investigations of the central nervous system
, particularly his studies involving nerve fiber
localization, direction and degeneration. His name is lent to the "bundle of Türck", which are uncrossed fibers forming a small bundle in the pyramidal tract. Today this bundle of fibers is usually called by its clinical name: the anterior corticospinal tract
. In medical literature, the terms Türck's bundle, Türck's column and Türck's tract are also used for the anterior corticospinal tract.
During the latter part of the 1850s, Türck, along with physiologist Johann Nepomuk Czermak
(1828-1873) were responsible for introducing the laryngoscope
into medicine. Among Türck's assistants and students in Vienna were laryngologists
Karl Stoerk
(1832-1899), Leopold von Schrötter
(1837-1908) and Johann Schnitzler
(1835-1893).
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 was a native of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. In 1836 he obtained his medical doctorate from the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
, where in 1864 he became a full professor.
He is remembered for his pioneer investigations of the central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
, particularly his studies involving nerve fiber
Nerve fiber
A nerve fiber is a threadlike extension of a nerve cell and consists of an axon and myelin sheath in the nervous system. There are nerve fibers in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. A nerve fiber may be myelinated and/or unmyelinated. In the central nervous system , myelin...
localization, direction and degeneration. His name is lent to the "bundle of Türck", which are uncrossed fibers forming a small bundle in the pyramidal tract. Today this bundle of fibers is usually called by its clinical name: the anterior corticospinal tract
Anterior corticospinal tract
The anterior corticospinal tract is a small bundle of descending fibers that connect the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord...
. In medical literature, the terms Türck's bundle, Türck's column and Türck's tract are also used for the anterior corticospinal tract.
During the latter part of the 1850s, Türck, along with physiologist Johann Nepomuk Czermak
Johann Nepomuk Czermak
Johann Nepomuk Czermak was an Austrian-German physiologist who was a native of Prague. He studied in Prague, Vienna, Breslau and Würzburg. At Breslau he was greatly influenced by the work of physiologist Jan Evangelista Purkyně...
(1828-1873) were responsible for introducing the laryngoscope
Laryngoscope
Laryngoscopy is a medical procedure that is used to obtain a view of the vocal folds and the glottis. Laryngoscopy may be performed to facilitate tracheal intubation during general anesthesia or cardiopulmonary resuscitation or for procedures on the larynx or other parts of the upper...
into medicine. Among Türck's assistants and students in Vienna were laryngologists
Laryngology
Laryngology is that branch of medicine which deals with disorders, diseases and injuries of the vocal apparatus, especially the larynx. Common conditions addressed by laryngologists include vocal fold nodules and cysts, laryngeal cancer, spasmodic dysphonia, laryngopharyngeal reflux, papillomas,...
Karl Stoerk
Karl Stoerk
Karl Stoerk ; was an Austrian laryngologist who was a native of Ofen. He studied medicine at the Universities of Prague and Vienna, and received his doctorate in 1858. Afterwards he was an assistant to Ludwig Türck in Vienna, where he practiced medicine for the remainder of his career...
(1832-1899), Leopold von Schrötter
Leopold von Schrötter
Leopold Schrötter Ritter von Kristelli, was an Austrian internist and laryngologist born in Graz...
(1837-1908) and Johann Schnitzler
Johann Schnitzler
Johann Schnitzler was a Hungarian-Austrian Jewish laryngologist who was a native of Nagy Kanizsa...
(1835-1893).
Selected writings
- Praktische Anleitung zur Laryngoskopie (Practical Guide to Laryngoscopy); (1860)
- Klinik der Krankheiten des Kehlkopfes und der Luftröhre, nebst einer Anleitung zum Gebrauche des Kehlkopfrachenspiegels und zur Lokalbehandlung der Kehlkopfkrankheiten (1866)
- Über Hautsensibilitätsbezirke der einzelnen Rückenmarksnervenpaare (Investigations of the Cutaneous Distribution of the Separate Pairs of Spinal Nerves) (1869); with Carl WedlCarl WedlCarl Wedl was an Austrian pathologist who was a native of Vienna.In 1841 he obtained his doctorate in Vienna, and subsequently practiced medicine in Ischl and Salzburg...
(1815-1891)