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Original fileAnatomical Study of the Human Spinal Cord and Nerves
menschliche Wirbelsäule
About This Work
The engraving presents two vertical anatomical diagrams on a page of aged, textured paper. The figure on the right shows a detailed dorsal view of the spinal cord with its associated nerves branching out toward the base, while the figure on the left presents a more linear, schematic view of the spinal column's internal structure. Both diagrams feature meticulous linework, with various segments marked by Latin alphabetical keys and numerical annotations to denote specific nerves and physiological points.
This image originates from the early modern period of anatomical discovery, reflecting the transition toward empirical, descriptive medical illustration that defined 17th-century natural philosophy. It documents the late Renaissance/Baroque effort to map the nervous system as a structural component of the human body.
Inscriptions(Latin)
De Cerebello & septem Neruorum Paribus. 177 TABVLA X. CVIUS FIGVRA I. VERAM SPINALI MEDVLae effigiem cum fuis membranis & neruis ab ea prodcuntibus delineat. Secunda spinæ medullam nudam exprimit. L I B. III. T A B. X V. [Labels A-H on the figures] In fig.1. A.Est spinalis medullæ principium,immediate à cranio progredientis. B.Eius in lumborum vertebris craffities. C.Eius in filamenta diuifio. D.Septem ceruicis nerui. à D.ad E.vel à 7.ad 19.dorfi nerui. ab E.ad F.lumborum nerui. ab F.ad G.Offis facri nerui.H eft medullæ finis in filamenta. I.K.L.Oftenduntur quidam nerui,videlicet quomodo filamentis aliquot à medulla prodeant. M.M.Nodi oftenduntur qui ex filamentorum coniunctione oriuntur. N.O.Membranæ medullam inteftientes. In fig.2. A.Spinalis medullæ initium in cranio. 3.4.5.6.7. Characteres oftendunt quomodo hæc pariæ quæ cerebro dedicantur ab ipfa medulla in cranio adhuc exiftente originem ducant. B.Ipfius è caluaria egreffus. C.Funiculi in quos diuiditur. D.7.Ceruicis medullæ & neruorum pariæ 7. E.19.Thoracis medullæ neruorum pariæ duodecim. F.24.Lumborum medullæ, & neruorum pariæ quinque. G.30.Offis facri medullæ & neruorum pariæ fex. H.Spinalis medullæ extremum. CAPVT
Translation
Of the Cerebellum and the seven pairs of nerves. 177. Table X. Figure I. Depicts the true image of the spinal cord with its membranes and the nerves proceeding from it. The second depicts the spinal cord bare. Book III. Table XV. [The subsequent text provides a technical key to the anatomical parts, describing the origin of the cord in the cranium, the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral nerves, and the division into filaments.]
Connected Texts
Robert Fludd
This illustration is from the third volume of Robert Fludd's encyclopedic work 'Utriusque Cosmi Maioris scilicet et Minoris metaphysica, physica atque technica Historia' (1617-1621), specifically related to the anatomy of the microcosmic body.
Provenance & Source
Object
engraving
laid paper
Baroque
German
anatomical
Digital Source
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
475 × 820 px
Linked Data