The History of Lymphatic Anatomy and the Contribution of Frederik Ruysch

AbstractDiscovery of the lymphatic system is documented in numerous sources and can be attributed to a variety of persons. Like many other important developments in medicine, the recognition of the lymphatic system starts with Hippocrates (ca. 460 –370 BC), who described a disease course consistent with metastasis to lymph nodes. Until the 17th century, knowledge about the anatomy and pathophysiology of the lymphatic system was limited, probably because of the difficulty of visualizing lymph vessels in animals and humans. Frederik Ruysch (1638-1731), a “praelector anatomiae” of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons, must be considered one of the pioneers in lymphatic research. His contribution relied on meticulous anatomical dissection of lymph vessels, and with his innovative preservation techniques, he was the first to visualize lymphatic valves. This major step provided a better understanding of lymphatic anatomy and the circulation of lymph. The German pathologist Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902) suggested that lymph nodes function as filters in the lymphatic system and could therefore contain cancer. He was the first to propose that lymph flu id from any given area of the body drains through lymphatics to a specific lymph node and subsequently to other lymph nodes. Consequently, clinicians began to recommend that local therapy of cancer should be supplemented with regional lymph node treatment to improve the cure rate. Subsequently, lymp h node surgery became an essential el...
Source: Hellenic Journal of Surgery - Category: Surgery Source Type: research