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Discovery of the Fallopian Tubes and Subsequent Historical Landmarks

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The Fallopian Tubes

Abstract

In the context of the reproductive system, the names of Fallopius and de Graaf are widely known to students working in this now distinctive field of physiology. However, it is historians rather than physiologists who are perhaps best placed to appreciate the remarkable good fortune of Fallopius (Gabriele Fallopio 1523–1562) in the sphere of medical discovery. Almost a contemporary of Andreas Vesalius at Padua, he was at first a pupil of this distinguished anatomist and yet it was to be the name of Fallopius — and not that of his master — which would lend itself to quite specialised portions of the female genital tract. How did this situation arise? The history of earlier endeavours appears in part to be one of misinterpretation coupled with a too-willing acceptance of the dogma handed down the ages. Instead of reviewing this saga in detail, a task which itself could lead to the writing of a weighty volume, only a few highlights and personalities are touched upon in the following pages. The objective has been to pave the way for the more substantial contents of subsequent chapters.

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Author notes

  1. Dr. Ronald H. F. Hunter

    Present address: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (CRRA), University of Montreal, CP 5000, J2S 7C6, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, EH9 3JG, Edinburgh, Scotland, Great Britain

    Dr. Ronald H. F. Hunter

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  1. Dr. Ronald H. F. Hunter
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© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Hunter, R.H.F. (1988). Discovery of the Fallopian Tubes and Subsequent Historical Landmarks. In: The Fallopian Tubes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73045-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73045-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-73047-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73045-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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