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Vincenc Alexandr Bohdalek (1801-1883): Czech anatomist and neuroscientist of the nineteenth century

Publication at Second Faculty of Medicine |
2017

Abstract

Vincenc Alexandr Bohdalek (Vincenz Alexander Bochdalek) was a well-known anatomist and pathologist in the nineteenth century. Today, however, his name is all but forgotten.

Bohdalek described a number of anatomical structures; some of them became eponyms. Unfortunately, his findings concerning the innervation of the eye, upper jaw, hard palate, auditory system, and meninges are little known today.

This current overview is based on available archival sources and provides an insight into his results in the field of nervous system research, which account for almost half his work. Bohdalek can clearly be considered a pioneer in the field we now call functional anatomy, as he tried to find a physiological explanation for the anatomical and pathological findings he observed.

The work and results of this truly outstanding neuroscientist of his time are thus again available to current and future generations of neuroscientists and neuroanatomists.