Frederik Ruysch

Frederik Ruysch
Frederik Ruysch, by his son-in-law Juriaen Pool
Born(1638-03-28)March 28, 1638
DiedFebruary 22, 1731(1731-02-22) (aged 92)
NationalityDutch
Alma materUniversity of Leiden
SpouseMaria Post (1643–1720)
ChildrenRachel Ruysch (*1664, painter)
Anna Ruysch (*1666, painter)
Scientific career
Fieldsbotany, anatomy
The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Frederick Ruysch by Jan van Neck (1683). Amsterdam Museum.

Frederik Ruysch (Dutch: [ˈfreːdərɪk ˈrœys]; March 28, 1638 – February 22, 1731) was a Dutch botanist and anatomist. He is known for developing techniques for preserving anatomical specimens, which he used to create dioramas or scenes incorporating human parts.[1] His anatomical preparations included over 2,000 anatomical, pathological, zoological, and botanical specimens, which were preserved by either drying or embalming.[2] Ruysch is also known for his proof of valves in the lymphatic system, the vomeronasal organ in snakes, and arteria centralis oculi (the central artery of the eye). He was the first to describe the disease that is today known as Hirschsprung's disease,[3] as well as several pathological conditions, including intracranial teratoma, enchondromatosis, and Majewski syndrome.[4]

  1. ^ Frederik Ruysch's Anatomical Dioramas.
  2. ^ Kooijmans, L. (2004). De doodskunstenaar, de anatomische lessen van Frederik Ruysch. Amsterdam: Bert Bakker.
  3. ^ "Hirschsprung Disease: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology". 2017-01-08.
  4. ^ Boer, Lucas; Radziun, Anna B.; Oostra, Roelof-Jan (2017). "Frederik Ruysch (1638–1731): Historical perspective and contemporary analysis of his teratological legacy". American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 173 (1): 16–41. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.37663. PMC 5215407. PMID 27126916.