Work

Skull morphology and its neurosurgical implications in the Hippocratic era

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: Differences in skull morphological characteristics among various human populations were first described by Herodotus of Halicarnassus. The Hippocratic treatise On Head Wounds provided the first detailed description of human skull anatomy. The Hippocratic author presented the first systematic attempt to create a classification system of skull and cranial suture morphology. Detailed descriptions of various human skull types and cranial sutures were provided along with information regarding the macroscopic structure and thickness of different parts of the skull. The significance of skull thickness in patients with head injuries was also presented in the Hippocratic text. The authors discuss the influence of this treatise on the later development of descriptive skull anatomy and on the development of modern neurosurgery.

Source: Neurosurgical FOCUS

DOI: 10.3171/foc-07/07/e10

Authors: Vassilios G. Dimopoulos, Ioannis Z. Kapsalakis, Kostas N. Fountas

Institutions: Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester Medicine, University of Rochester, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa

Language: English

Topic: History of Medicine Studies

Subfield: History

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2117981654