Raymond Vieussens

Portrait of Raymond Vieussens

Raymond Vieussens (ca. 1635 – 16 August 1715) was a French anatomist from Le Vigan. There is uncertainty regarding the exact year of Vieussens birth, with some sources placing it as late as 1641.

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.

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 accurate descriptions of the left ventricle and 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", named 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Several other anatomical structures are named after Vieussens, however they have largely been replaced by clinical nomenclature.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

References

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