Raymond Vieussens
Encyclopedia
Raymond Vieussens was a French anatomist from Vigan
. He studied medicine at the University of Montpellier
where he earned his degree in 1670. He later became head physician at Hôtel Dieu Saint-Eloi in Montpellier
. There is uncertainty regarding the exact year of Vieussens birth, with some sources placing it as late as 1641.
Vieussens is remembered for his pioneer work in the field of cardiology
, and his anatomical studies of the brain
and spinal cord
. He regarded English anatomist Thomas Willis
(1621–1675) as a major influence towards his career. Vieussens is credited as being the first physician to give an accurate description of the left ventricle
, as well as several blood vessels of the heart. He was also the first to give a comprehensive description of mitral stenosis
, as well as other types of heart disease
and circulatory
disorders. He provided an early description of the brain's centrum semiovale
, which is sometimes referred to as Vieussens' centrum. This structure is also known as Vicq d'Azyr's centrum, after Félix Vicq-d'Azyr
(1746–1794), who provided a later, more detailed description.
Several other anatomical structures are named after Vieussens, however they have largely been replaced by clinical nomenclature. These include Vieussens' valve (superior medullary velum
), Vieussens' ventricle (cavity of septum pellucidum
), Vieussens' ansa (subclavian loop
), Vieussens' ganglia (celiac ganglia
), Vieussens' isthmus (limbus of fossa ovalis
) and Vieussens' veins (innominate cardiac veins
). He also provided an early description of the tiny openings in the veins of the right atrium
of the heart that are known as Vieussens' foramina, or foramina venarum minimarum
, and sometimes Thebesian foramina after Adam Christian Thebesius
(1686–1732).
Among his written works are Neurographia universalis, an early work on neuroanatomy
that is known for its excellent copperplate illustrations, and Novum vasorum corporis humani systema, an important treatise on the anatomy and diseases of the heart. During his lifetime, Vieussens was known for his controversial views on human physiology. However, these theories are largely of a metaphysical
nature, and are of minor importance from a scientific standpoint.
Le Vigan
Le Vigan is a commune in the Gard department in southern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Le Vigan is located at the south of the Massif Central and near the Mont Aigoual, in the Arre valley.-Population:-Economy:...
. He studied medicine at the University of Montpellier
University of Montpellier
The University of Montpellier was a French university in Montpellier in the Languedoc-Roussillon région of the south of France. Its present-day successor universities are the University of Montpellier 1, Montpellier 2 University and Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III.-History:The university...
where he earned his degree in 1670. He later became head physician at Hôtel Dieu Saint-Eloi in Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
. There is uncertainty regarding the exact year of Vieussens birth, with some sources placing it as late as 1641.
Vieussens is remembered for his pioneer work in the field of cardiology
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
, and his anatomical studies of the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
and 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...
. He regarded English anatomist Thomas Willis
Thomas Willis
Thomas Willis was an English doctor who played an important part in the history of anatomy, neurology and psychiatry. He was a founding member of the Royal Society.-Life:...
(1621–1675) as a major influence towards his career. Vieussens is credited as being the first physician to give an accurate description of the left ventricle
Left ventricle
The left ventricle is one of four chambers in the human heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium via the mitral valve, and pumps it into the aorta via the aortic valve.-Shape:...
, as well as several blood vessels of the heart. He was also the first to give a comprehensive description of mitral stenosis
Mitral stenosis
Mitral stenosis is a valvular heart disease characterized by the narrowing of the orifice of the mitral valve of the heart.-Signs and symptoms:Symptoms of mitral stenosis include:...
, as well as other types of heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
and circulatory
Circulatory system
The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...
disorders. He provided an early description of the brain's centrum semiovale
Semioval center
The semioval center or centrum semiovale is the white matter found underneath the grey matter on the surface of the cerebrum. The term is synonymous with cerebral white matter....
, which is sometimes referred to as Vieussens' centrum. This structure is also known as Vicq d'Azyr's centrum, after Félix Vicq-d'Azyr
Félix Vicq-d'Azyr
Félix Vicq d'Azyr was a French physician and anatomist, the originator of comparative anatomy and discoverer of the theory of homology in biology.-Biography:Vicq d'Azyr was born in Valognes, Normandy, the son of a physician...
(1746–1794), who provided a later, more detailed description.
Several other anatomical structures are named after Vieussens, however they have largely been replaced by clinical nomenclature. These include Vieussens' valve (superior medullary velum
Superior medullary velum
The superior medullary velum is a thin, transparent lamina of white substance, which stretches between the superior cerebellar peduncles; on the dorsal surface of its lower half the folia and lingula are prolonged.It forms, together with the superior cerebellar peduncle, the roof of the upper part...
), Vieussens' ventricle (cavity of septum pellucidum
Septum pellucidum
The septum pellucidum , and not to be confused with the medial septum, is a thin, triangular, vertical membrane separating the anterior horns of the left and right lateral ventricles of the brain...
), Vieussens' ansa (subclavian loop
Subclavian loop
Subclavian loop , also known as Vieussens' ansa after French anatomist Raymond Vieussens , is a nerve cord that is a connection between the middle and inferior cervical ganglion, and forms a loop around the subclavian artery....
), Vieussens' ganglia (celiac ganglia
Celiac ganglia
The celiac ganglia or coeliac ganglia are two large irregularly shaped masses of nerve tissue in the upper abdomen. Part of the sympathetic subdivision of the autonomic nervous system , the two celiac ganglia are the largest ganglia in the ANS, and they innervate most of the digestive tract.They...
), Vieussens' isthmus (limbus of fossa ovalis
Limbus of fossa ovalis
The limbus of fossa ovalis is the prominent oval margin of the fossa ovalis. It is in the right atrium.It is most distinct above and at the sides of the fossa; below, it is deficient....
) and Vieussens' veins (innominate cardiac veins
Brachiocephalic vein
The left and right brachiocephalic veins in the upper chest are formed by the union of each corresponding internal jugular vein and subclavian vein...
). He also provided an early description of the tiny openings in the veins of the right atrium
Right atrium
The right atrium is one of four chambers in the hearts of mammals and archosaurs...
of the heart that are known as Vieussens' foramina, or foramina venarum minimarum
Foramina venarum minimarum
The foramina venarum minimarum are the orifices of minute veins , which return blood directly from the muscular substance of the heart....
, and sometimes Thebesian foramina after Adam Christian Thebesius
Adam Christian Thebesius
Adam Christian Thebesius was a German anatomist who was a native of Sandenwalde, Silesia. He studied medicine in Jena, Leipzig and Leiden, and received his doctorate from the University of Leiden in 1708...
(1686–1732).
Among his written works are Neurographia universalis, an early work on neuroanatomy
Neuroanatomy
Neuroanatomy is the study of the anatomy and organization of the nervous system. In contrast to animals with radial symmetry, whose nervous system consists of a distributed network of cells, animals with bilateral symmetry have segregated, defined nervous systems, and thus we can begin to speak of...
that is known for its excellent copperplate illustrations, and Novum vasorum corporis humani systema, an important treatise on the anatomy and diseases of the heart. During his lifetime, Vieussens was known for his controversial views on human physiology. However, these theories are largely of a metaphysical
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
nature, and are of minor importance from a scientific standpoint.
Selected works
- Neurographia universalis (General neurography) (1684)
- Vieussens's Tractatus duo (Treatise on two subjects) (1688)
- Epistola de sanguinis humani (an article on human blood) (1698)
- Deux dissertations (Two dissertations) (1698)
- Novum vasorum corporis humani systema (Vessels of the human body; considered an early classic work of cardiology) (1705)
- Dissertatio anatomica de structura et usu uteri ac placentae muliebris (Anatomical study on the structure of the uterusUterusThe uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
and placentaPlacentaThe placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. "True" placentas are a defining characteristic of eutherian or "placental" mammals, but are also found in some snakes and...
) (1712) - Traité nouveau de la structure de l'oreille (Treatise on the structure of the ear) (1714)
- Traité nouveau des liqueurs du corps humain (1715)
- Traité nouveau de la structure et des causes du mouvement naturel du coeur (Treatise on the structure of the heart and the causes of its natural motion) (1715)