Hippocrates and the anatomy of the nervous system

Abstract

Hippocrates was one of the greatest physicians ever, and merited unquestionably, the title of ‘Father of Medicine’. He, together with other authors, formed an assemble of texts known as ‘Hippocratic Collection’ (or ‘Hippocratic Corpus’). There, the ample and brilliant medical experience remained documented, and left as a legacy. Even after almost two and a half millennia, these medical writings continue to be admired, and regarded as a lasting fount of inspiration. However, regarding anatomy, including that of the nervous system, and related structures, the texts are poor. About the nervous system, he mentioned the brain and its two hemispheres, the spinal cord, and the sensory organs. The related structures are also cited, comprising the meninges, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the blood vessels, as well as the skull, and the vertebral column. The functions of the brain were partly explained, and he ascribed to the brain the main ruling function of the body, a mark of encephalocentric position. Thus, counterposed to his ample medical accomplishments was his poor anatomical contribution. However, it must be recognized that the incipient contribution on anatomy that was legated, represented an important starting point for upcoming scholars and further studies on the subject.