Johann Gottfried Zinn

Johann Gottfried Zinn (December 6 1727 - April 6 1759), was a German anatomist and botanist member of the Berlin Academy

Biography

Johann Gottfried Zinn was born in Schwabach.Considering his short life span, Zinn made a great contribution to the study of anatomy. In his book "Descriptio anatomica oculi humani", he provided the first detailed and comprehensive anatomy of the human eye.

In 1753 Johann Gottfried Zinn became director of the Botanic garden of the University of Göttingen, and in 1755, professor in the medical faculty.

In 1757 Zinn described the orchid genus "Epipactis" that belongs to the family Orchidaceae.

He died in Göttingen.

Eponyms

Botanist Carolus Linnaeus designated a genus of flowers in the family Asteraceae native from Mexico as "Zinnia" in his honour. "Zinnia" was introduced to Europe in 1613 [ [http://zinniasgarden.com/article.php?article=32 planting flower garden soil test at zinniasgarden.com ] ]

He coined the anatomic terms:
* "Zonula ciliaris Zinnii", now called "Zonule of Zinn"
* "Circulus arteriosus sclerae" also known as "Annulus of Zinn" (or "Circle of Zinn").

Works

*"A description of the flora around Göttingen" 1753.
*"Descriptio anatomica oculi humani iconibus illustrata" 1765.

References

Persondata
NAME=Zinn, Johann Gottfried
SHORT DESCRIPTION=botanist and physician
DATE OF BIRTH=1727-12-04
PLACE OF BIRTH=Schwabach, Germany
DATE OF DEATH=1759-06-06
PLACE OF DEATH=Göttingen. Germany