- Bartolomeo Panizza
Bartolomeo Panizza (1785-1867) was an Italian
anatomist who was a native ofVicenza . He received a medical degree insurgery fromPadua , and furthered his studies atBologna andPavia . Subsequently, he became a professor at theUniversity of Pavia , and in 1835 a member of the "Academia nazionale delle scienze" (National Academy of Science). Panizza was a student and associate to famed anatomistAntonio Scarpa (1752-1832).Panizza is remembered for being the first physician to discover that the posterior cortex was the center for vision. He published his findings in an 1855 treatise named "Osservazioni sul nervo ottico" (Observations on the Optic Nerve). At the time, his discovery was largely ignored, and it would be several years until the importance of Panizza's findings were realized. He also performed extensive studies of the
lymphatic system ofreptile s, and in 1833 described the "Foramen of Panizza ", which is a hole with a valve that connects the left and rightaorta in the crocodilian heart. Another anatomical eponym named after him are the "Panizza's plexuses" which are twoplexus es of the lymph vessels in the lateral fossae of thefrenulum of the prepuce.Panizza’s landmarks in Pavia
In
Pavia some landmarks stand as Panizza’s memory.*A marble statue, in a yard (“Cortile delle Statue”) of the old buildings of the
University of Pavia , at N.65 of the central “Strada Nuova”. On the basament, there is the following inscription in Italian language: "A BARTOLOMEO PANIZZA / I DISCEPOLI E GLI AMMIRATORI / A. MDCCCLXXIII” (To Bartolomeo Panizza / The disciples and the admirers / Year 1873).*Panizza’s tomb in the Monumental Cemetery of Pavia (viale San Giovannino). Along the central lane, on the left, just between the tombs of two other important scientists,
Adelchi Negri andCamillo Golgi , the funereal monument has a pyramid shape quite sweetened by a marble cloth. Under the bronze medallion representing the scientist’s profile, there is the following inscription in Italian language: “AL COMMENDATORE / BARTOLOMEO PANIZZA / PROFESSORE DI ANATOMIA SENATORE DEL REGNO / INSIGNE DI DOTTRINA / POPOLARMENTE AMATO / PER ANIMO INTEGRO SCHIETTO GENEROSO / VISSUTO 81 ANNI SINO A 17 APRILE 1867 / I FIGLI E LE FIGLIE / ONORATI DEL NOME GRATI DELL’AFFETTO / PREGANDO E LAGRIMANDO (POSERO?)”.References
* "This article is based on a translation of an article from the Italian Wikipedia."
* [http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_p_24zPzhtm#12648205 Dorlands Medical Dictionary]
* [http://himetop.wikidot.com/bartolomeo-panizza Some places and memories related to Bartolomeo Panizza]
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