The Discovery of Pancreatic duct – Johann Georg Wirsung
Keywords:
Pancreatic duct, chyle, Chronic pancreatitis, spleen
Abstract
The discovery of the pancreatic duct revolves around the Professor of Anatomy from the University of Padua, Johann Georg
Wirsung (1598-1649). His mysterious murder remains unresolved and one of the most intriguing aspect in the history of
surgery. It is a past which has all the ingredients of a brutal murder, along with drama, accusation of plagiarism and a shady
interpersonal rivalry with controversy. The discovery of Wirsung duct engraved on the copper plate by Wirsung himself is one of the wonders of clinical surgery.
References
1. Gamba A, Ongaro G. “Anatomes peritissimus”: Johann Georg Wirsung’s unknown experiments on the circulation
of the blood. Physis Riv Int Stor Sci. 1993;30(2-3):231-42. PubMed PMID: 11639902.
2. Cecka F, Jon B, Kaska M. Was the Wirsung duct discovery facilitated by intraoperative alcohol consumption in 17th century,
Italy ?. Pancreaticology 2013 Sept;3(13):S42.
3. Howard JM, Hess W, Traverso W. Johann Georg Wirsüng (1589-1643) and the pancreatic duct: the prosector of Padua, Italy. J Am Coll Surg. 1998 Aug;187(2):201-11. DOI: 10.1016/ s1072-7515(98)00136-7. PubMed PMID: 9704970.
of the blood. Physis Riv Int Stor Sci. 1993;30(2-3):231-42. PubMed PMID: 11639902.
2. Cecka F, Jon B, Kaska M. Was the Wirsung duct discovery facilitated by intraoperative alcohol consumption in 17th century,
Italy ?. Pancreaticology 2013 Sept;3(13):S42.
3. Howard JM, Hess W, Traverso W. Johann Georg Wirsüng (1589-1643) and the pancreatic duct: the prosector of Padua, Italy. J Am Coll Surg. 1998 Aug;187(2):201-11. DOI: 10.1016/ s1072-7515(98)00136-7. PubMed PMID: 9704970.
Published
2021-12-27
How to Cite
Kaushik Bhattacharya, Aditya Shikar Bhattacharya. (2021). The Discovery of Pancreatic duct – Johann Georg Wirsung. The Indian Practitioner, 74(12), 32-34. Retrieved from https://articles.theindianpractitioner.com/index.php/tip/article/view/1287
Section
Commentary
