Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Hover to magnify, click for fullscreen
Original fileAnatomical Study of the Recurrent Nerves
menschliches Nervensystem
About This Work
This black-and-white print consists of two vertical anatomical diagrams labeled 'Fig I' and 'II'. On the left, a lateral view of the human brain is shown with a complex web of nerves descending into the neck and thoracic region. On the right, a detailed, front-facing view of the windpipe (trachea) is presented, surrounded by paired structures representing nerves and blood vessels. Both figures are annotated with numerous lettered keys (A through S) that correspond to a descriptive legend located below the diagrams.
This plate is taken from Robert Fludd's 'Utriusque Cosmi, Maioris scilicet et Minoris, metaphysica, physica, atque technica Historia' (1617–1621), a foundational work of the Rosicrucian period that attempts to map the macrocosm and microcosm. It exemplifies the early modern integration of empirical anatomical observation within a broader Hermetic framework of correspondence between the human body and the universal order.
Inscriptions(Latin)
138 Regionis Mediæ Liber IV. TABVLA VIII. EST NERVORVM RECVRRENTium, & asperæ arteriæ,quæ & eorum cohærentiam denotat. LIB. II. TAB. IX. FIG. I. II Fig. 1. agit de neruorum recurrentium situ & origine in qua A.Cerebrum.B.Cerebellum.C.Proceſſus cerebri,ſed non mammillares. D.D.Dorfalis medulla in cranio. E.Proceſſus mammillaris,qui eſt olfactus inſtrumentum. F.Neruus opticus,G.Oculitunica,in quam neruus expanditur. H.Par neruorum ſecundum,ſeu nerui mouentes oculum. I.Tertia neruorum coniugatio,ſeu par tertium,quod eſt cæteris minus,(ed iis durius. K.Quarta coniugatio ad dorfum vergens,eſtque tertia maior & craſſior. L.Nerui propago frontem accedens. M.Nerui propago maxillam ſuperiorem petens. N.N.Narium tunicæ intextus neruus à ramo I. O.Temporalis muſculi neruus à ramo I. P.Neruus contortus à neruis K.& b. Q.Neruus ad dentium ſuperiorum alueolos à ramo K. R.Neruus maxillam inferiorem perreptans à neruo K. S.Labro ſuperiori oblata ſoboles rami R.
Translation
138 Book IV of the Middle Region. TABLE VIII. IS OF THE RECURRENT NERVES, and the rough artery [trachea], which also denotes their connection. BOOK II. TABLE IX. FIG. I. II Fig. 1. treats of the situation and origin of the recurrent nerves, in which [followed by the list of labeled parts].
Connected Texts
Robert Fludd
This illustration originates from Fludd's encyclopedic 'Utriusque Cosmi' project, illustrating the 'microcosm' section of his study.
Provenance & Source
Object
engraving
laid paper
Baroque
German
anatomical
Digital Source
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
462 × 820 px
Linked Data