Henry Jones Shrapnell
Encyclopedia
Henry Jones Shrapnell was an English anatomist. For a period of time during his career he was a colleague to Edward Jenner
(1749-1823), creator of the vaccine
for smallpox
.
Shrapnell is remembered for his pioneer work in otology
. He was the first to correctly describe the tympanic membrane. He divided the membrane into two parts; the pars tensa (tense portion) and the pars flaccida (flaccid portion). In 1832 he published his findings in the London Medical Gazette in an article called On the form and structure of the membrana tympani. Today the flaccid portion of the tympanic membrane is known as Shrapnell's membrane
.
In the same year Shrapnell published two other articles in the same journal, concerning the function of the tympanic membrane and the nerves of the ear
, and in 1833 he published an article (again in the same journal) on the anatomy
of the incus
.
Edward Jenner
Edward Anthony Jenner was an English scientist who studied his natural surroundings in Berkeley, Gloucestershire...
(1749-1823), creator of the vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
for smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
.
Shrapnell is remembered for his pioneer work in otology
Otology
Otology is a branch of biomedicine which studies normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear as well as its diseases, diagnosis and treatment....
. He was the first to correctly describe the tympanic membrane. He divided the membrane into two parts; the pars tensa (tense portion) and the pars flaccida (flaccid portion). In 1832 he published his findings in the London Medical Gazette in an article called On the form and structure of the membrana tympani. Today the flaccid portion of the tympanic membrane is known as Shrapnell's membrane
Shrapnell's membrane
In human anatomy, the Pars flaccida of tympanic membrane or Shrapnell's membrane is the small, triangular, flaccid portion of the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. It lies above the malleolar folds attached directly to the petrous bone at the notch of Rivinus...
.
In the same year Shrapnell published two other articles in the same journal, concerning the function of the tympanic membrane and the nerves of the ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
, and in 1833 he published an article (again in the same journal) on the 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...
of the incus
Incus
The incus or anvil is the anvil-shaped small bone or ossicle in themiddle ear. It connects the malleus to the stapes. It was first described by Alessandro Achillini of Bologna.The incus transmits sound vibrations from the malleus to the stapes....
.