Raymond Vieussens
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Raymond Vieussens (ca. 1635 - August 16, 1715) 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Several other anatomical structures are named after Vieussens, however they have largely been replaced by clinical nomenclature.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.
Selected works
- Neurographia universalis (General neurography) (1684)
- Vieussens's Tractatus duo (Treatise on two subjects) (1688)
- Epistola de sanguinis humani (An article concerning human blood) (1698)
- Deux dissertations (Two dissertations) (1698)
- Novum vasorum corporis humani systema (System of the 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 uterus and placenta) (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).