Maximilian von Frey
Encyclopedia
Maximilian Ruppert Franz von Frey (November 16, 1852 - January 25, 1932) was an Austrian-German physiologist who was born in Salzburg
. He received his doctorate from the University of Leipzig
in 1877, and subsequently worked at Carl Ludwig
's Physiological Institute in Leipzig
. Later he was a professor of physiology
at the Universities of Würzburg
and Zurich
.
Frey's primary work in Leipzig dealt with the circulatory system
, and he is credited with developing an early prototype of a heart-lung machine. He is remembered for his work involving cutaneous sensory mechanoreceptor
s. During the 1890s, Frey proposed that pain is an independent tactile quality, alongside touch, heat and cold, and that it is associated with stimulation of high threshold free nerve ending
s. He described the skin as a mosaic of discrete spots, each sensitive to one or other of these stimuli. He created a unique type of esthesiometer
, now referred to as a Von Frey Hair
, which consisted of various calibrated monofilaments. These filaments can be used to determine the threshold force required to produce the sensation of touch.
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
. He received his doctorate from the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
in 1877, and subsequently worked at Carl Ludwig
Carl Ludwig
----Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig was a German physician and physiologist.In 1842 Ludwig became a professor of physiology and in 1846 of comparative anatomy...
's Physiological Institute in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
. Later he was a professor of physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
at the Universities of Würzburg
University of Würzburg
The University of Würzburg is a university in Würzburg, Germany, founded in 1402. The university is a member of the distinguished Coimbra Group.-Name:...
and Zurich
University of Zurich
The University of Zurich , located in the city of Zurich, is the largest university in Switzerland, with over 25,000 students. It was founded in 1833 from the existing colleges of theology, law, medicine and a new faculty of philosophy....
.
Frey's primary work in Leipzig dealt with the circulatory system
Circulatory system
The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...
, and he is credited with developing an early prototype of a heart-lung machine. He is remembered for his work involving cutaneous sensory mechanoreceptor
Mechanoreceptor
A mechanoreceptor is a sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion. There are four main types in the glabrous skin of humans: Pacinian corpuscles, Meissner's corpuscles, Merkel's discs, and Ruffini corpuscles...
s. During the 1890s, Frey proposed that pain is an independent tactile quality, alongside touch, heat and cold, and that it is associated with stimulation of high threshold free nerve ending
Free nerve ending
A free nerve ending is an unspecialized, afferent nerve ending, meaning it brings information from the body's periphery toward the brain. They function as cutaneous receptors and are essentially used by vertebrates to detect pain.-Structure:...
s. He described the skin as a mosaic of discrete spots, each sensitive to one or other of these stimuli. He created a unique type of esthesiometer
Esthesiometer
An esthesiometer is a device for measuring the tactile sensitivity of the skin . The measure of the degree of tactile sensitivity is called aesthesiometry....
, now referred to as a Von Frey Hair
Von Frey Hair
A von Frey hair is a type of aesthesiometer designed in 1896 by Maximilian von Frey.These hairs are made from nylon filaments of varying diameter. The hairs are to be pressed against the skin with enough force so that the hair buckles and forms a U-shape...
, which consisted of various calibrated monofilaments. These filaments can be used to determine the threshold force required to produce the sensation of touch.
External links
- UCLA Library Pioneer Neurophysiology
- Essay on Sensory Locations
- Somedic Von Frey Aesthesiometer