Adriaan van den Spiegel
Encyclopedia
Adriaan van den Spiegel, name sometimes written as Adrianus Spigelius (1578 - 7 April 1625) was a Flemish anatomist who was born in Brussels
. For much of his career he practiced medicine in Padua
, and is considered one of the great physicians associated with that city. At Padua he studied anatomy
under Girolamo Fabrici.
His best written work on anatomy is De humani corporis fabrica libri X tabulis aere icisis exornati which was published posthumously in 1627. He borrowed the title from De humani corporis fabrica
, written by his fellow countryman, Vesalius
, who had also studied in Padua. The book was intended as an update in medical thinking (a century later) about anatomy. In his 1624 treatise De semitertiana libri quatuor, he gives the first comprehensive description of malaria
. Also an uncommon hernia
of the abdominal wall that he first described is called a Spigelian hernia
.
Spiegel also did work as a botanist. The genus Spigelia which has six species, is named after him. Traditionally, the rhizome
and roots of Spigelia marilandica
were used as a cure for intestinal parasite
s.
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. For much of his career he practiced medicine in Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, and is considered one of the great physicians associated with that city. At Padua he studied anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
under Girolamo Fabrici.
His best written work on anatomy is De humani corporis fabrica libri X tabulis aere icisis exornati which was published posthumously in 1627. He borrowed the title from De humani corporis fabrica
De humani corporis fabrica
De humani corporis fabrica libri septem is a textbook of human anatomy written by Andreas Vesalius in 1543....
, written by his fellow countryman, Vesalius
Vesalius
Andreas Vesalius was a Flemish anatomist, physician, and author of one of the most influential books on human anatomy, De humani corporis fabrica . Vesalius is often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy. Vesalius is the Latinized form of Andries van Wesel...
, who had also studied in Padua. The book was intended as an update in medical thinking (a century later) about anatomy. In his 1624 treatise De semitertiana libri quatuor, he gives the first comprehensive description of malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
. Also an uncommon hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
of the abdominal wall that he first described is called a Spigelian hernia
Spigelian hernia
A Spigelian hernia is a hernia through the spigelian fascia, which is the aponeurotic layer between the rectus abdominis muscle medially, and the semilunar line laterally. These hernias almost always develop at or below the linea arcuata, probably because of the lack of posterior rectus sheath...
.
Spiegel also did work as a botanist. The genus Spigelia which has six species, is named after him. Traditionally, the rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
and roots of Spigelia marilandica
Spigelia marilandica
Spigelia marilandica is a perennial wildflower in the Loganiaceae family that is used as ornamental plant. It flowers in June and tends to be found low moist woods, ravines, or streambanks in partial or full shade. It will grow to 1 to 2 feet high with a spread of 0.5 to 1.5...
were used as a cure for intestinal parasite
Intestinal parasite
Intestinal parasites are parasites that populate the gastro-intestinal tract in humans and other animals. They can live throughout the body, but most prefer the intestinal wall. Means of exposure include: ingestion of undercooked meat, drinking infected water, and skin absorption...
s.