Anatomy By the Decade
Introduction
Germany, the late 1880s. The
work of European anatomists such as
Wilhelm His — who studied neural crest cell migration and
developed hypotheses that inspired the neuron doctrine — is
growing in significance and scope. Advances in laboratory
techniques are giving rise to exciting new discoveries
and theories in the field of anatomy. Reports of these
developments are reaching far outside Europe, attracting
the attention and igniting the curiosity of scientists halfway
around the world.
The late nineteenth century saw the science of anatomy
gain a new circle of influence as more American researchers
traveled to Europe to learn from pioneers such as Wilhelm
His. In Germany, the American students of His and Carl
Ludwig included Franklin Paine Mall,
William H. Welch, and Charles S. Minot.
These and other American scientists were
participating in the stream of discovery and,
feeling the influence of their scientific forebears, realized the
need for more anatomy research facilities and publication
venues in America.
This brief timeline highlights some of the events that
influenced the history of the American Association of
Anatomists. It also singles out some of the people whose
scientific contributions have shaped the modern science
of anatomy: gross anatomists, histologists, embryologists,
cytologists, philosophers, doctors, scientists, advocates,
surgeons, anthropologists, paleontologists, chemists,
image engineers, inventors, students, teachers, authors —
discoverers all.
First AAA President
n 1868
Discovery of neural crest cells
Wilhelm His identifies the structure that
would later become known as the neural
crest. It consists of a migratory population
of cells loosely referred to as the 4th germ
layer, given the incredible diversity of cell
and tissue types to which it gives rise.
Neural crest cells are essential for jaw and
craniofacial variation, peripheral nervous
system development and development of
other tissues. Evolution of these cells helped
facilitate the radiation and adaptation of
vertebrates into new environments.
1888-1889
Joseph Leidy
“The ancient science of anatomy has been
perpetuated and extended during the many
centuries of its existence by great men who
have dedicated their lives to it. The list is a
long one for the development of the science
has been slow and progressive from the earliest
ages to the present time; we find in it on the
one hand, some of the greatest who have
ever lived - Aristotle, Vesalius - on the other,
the names of those who rank as leaders of a
generation, Bichat, His.”
—Franklin Paine Mall
Wilhelm His
n 1886
“I defend the following postulate as an indisputable
principle: that each nerve fiber originates as a process
from a single cell. This is its genetic, nutritive, and
functional center; all other connections of the fiber
are either indirect or secondary.”
The Neuron Doctrine
By 1886 Wilhelm His theorizes that each nerve fiber stems from a single nerve cell, an
idea that was essential to the development of the neuron doctrine which states that the
neuron, or nerve cell, is the basic unit of the nervous system.
n 1887
— Wilhelm His
Franklin Paine Mall helps establish anatomy as a science in America
n 1873
Franklin Paine Mall conducts his early work in Europe,
first in the laboratory of Wilhelm His and then with Carl
Ludwig. In less than two years of study, Mall ascertained
the endodermal origin of the thymus gland.
Golgi Method
Italian physician and scientist Camillo Golgi develops a novel technique for staining
nervous tissue in 1873. Golgi initially calls it the “black reaction” (la reazione nera), but it
becomes better known as the Golgi stain or Golgi method.
Mall’s scientific focus and aptitude for research were
extraordinary. Before he was middle-aged he also
demonstrated the vascular patterns of organs; discovered
the vasomotor nerves of the portal vein; clarified the
structure of organs with his concept of structural units;
delineated the laws of growth of the nervous system;
followed the development of certain organs to the
adult state; and laid the foundations for the study of the
pathology of embryos.
Golgi staining was improved upon by the Spanish pathologist,
histologist, and neuroscientist Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who used
the technique to make a number of novel discoveries about the
organization of the nervous system. Ramón y Cajal’s work in
neuroanatomy would inspire the birth of the neuron doctrine.
Of the Golgi method, Ramón y Cajal said: “I expressed the surprise
which I experienced upon seeing with my own eyes the wonderful
revelatory powers of the chrome-silver reaction and the absence of
any excitement in the scientific world aroused by its discovery.”
Portrait of Franklin Paine Mall.
According to his biographers, Mall was instrumental in
establishing anatomy as a science in the United States. At
Johns Hopkins University, he was able to organize a department of anatomy that would
reflect his view of the science (“The study of anatomy begins with the cell, ends with the
entire individual, and includes man.” ) and realize what he saw as the field’s potential (“A
subject like anatomy, taught for many centuries, has recently been made a new science
through the studies in embryology and histology.”)
Camillo Golgi
Johns Hopkins
anatomy building.
Students dissecting
in lab under
Franklin Mall.
n 1888
A human neocortical pyramidal neuron stained via Golgi
method. Notice the apical dendrite extending vertically above
the soma and the numerous basal dendrites radiating laterallypene from the base of the cell body.
AAA founded
The American Association of Anatomists
is founded September 17, 1888, at
Georgetown University. Joseph Leidy,
the founder of American paleontology,
served as the first president.
Joseph Leidy
A portrait of Andreas Vesalius.
The background image on the left
side of the panel is an anatomical
engraving from Vesalius’ Opera
omnia anatomica and chirurgica.
American Association of Anatomists | Celebrating 125 years of Teaching and Research