In 1500, a renowned artist named Leonardo da Vinci was the first who recognized and drew the thyroid gland. In 1834, Robert Graves was the first who described a syndrome of palpitation, goiter, and exophthalmos. In 1857, Maurice Schiff was the first to perform successful total thyroidectomies in animals. In 1895, Adolf Magnus Levy was the first to describe the influence of the thyroid gland and thyroid hormones on the basal metabolic rate. In 1947, Cope, Rawson, and McArthur were the first who described the usage of radioactive iodine for demonstration of a "hot" thyroid nodule. In 1948, T. Templa, J. Aleksandrowicz, and M. Till were the first who described the usage of fine needle thyroid biopsy as a diagnostic method for thyroid nodules.
Historical perspective
The main events associated with thyroid recognition and development are summarized here:[1]
In 40 BC, Pliny, Vitruvius, and Juvenal were the first who documented the prevalence of goiter in the Alps. They also used the burnt seaweed for treatment of goiter.
In 138, Soranus, a Greek physician, reported a case of neckswelling following pregnancy.
In 961, Abul Kasim, a physician in Cordoba, was the first who described thyroidectomy and to perform a needle biopsy.
In 1500, Leonardo da Vinci was the first who recognized and drew the thyroid gland.
In 1543, Andreas Vesalius was the first who provided the first anatomic description and illustration of the thyroid gland.
In 1563, Eustachius was the first who introduced the term "isthmus" to describe tissue connecting the two lobes of the thyroid gland.
In 1602, Felix Platter was the first who described cretinism found in Valais region of Switzerland.
In 1947, Cope, Rawson, and McArthur were the first who described the usage of radioactive iodine to demonstrate a "hot" thyroid nodule.
In 1948, T. Templa, J. Aleksandrowicz, and M. Till were the first who described the usage of fine needle thyroid biopsy as a diagnostic method for thyroid nodules.
In 1949, R. G. Hoskins was the first who described negative feedback of thyroid gland on pituitary, a mechanism that he called "servo (feedback) mechanism".
In 1950, J. B. Stanbury was the first who described the genetic abnormality association with thyroid hormone synthesis.
In 1959, J. B. Hazard, W. A. Hawk, and G. Crile were the first who described medullary thyroid cancer as a distinct entity.
In 1965, S. Berson and R. Yalow were the first who described radioimmunoassay procedure.
In 1966, R. F. Rohner, J. T. Prior and J. H. Sipple were the first who described multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and reported some cases.
In 1970, A. Schally and R. Guillemin were the first who discovered TRH separately from each other.
Landmark events in the development of treatment strategies
The main events associated with development of treatment strategies include:[1]
In 2700 BC, seaweed was used for the treatment of goiter.
In 340, Ko-Hung, a Chinese chemist recommended seaweed for treatment of goiter among people living in mountains.
In 650, Sun Ssu-Mo, another Chinese physician, used dried, powdered mollusca shells and chopped thyroid gland for the treatment of goiter.
In 1200, Arnaldus de Villanova reported that marine sponges could be used to treat goiters.