La influencia de la arquitectura greco-romana en la nomenclatura neuroanatómica

Abstract

The influence of Greco-Roman architecture on neuroanatomical nomenclature dates back more than 2,500 years, when structures of the human body were named according to their resemblance to architectural elements. During antiquity, anatomical terminology developed in Greek and Latin, laying the foundations for modern medical nomenclature. This article explores the relationship between architectural and neuroanatomical elements, highlighting structures such as the atrium, thalamus, clinoid processes, insula, pons, fornix, aqueduct, and pulvinar.

The analysis includes their architectural origins, historical evolution, and impact on neuroanatomy. For example, the thalamus—derived from a Greek term referring to an inner chamber or alcove—is a central structure of the diencephalon involved in sensory transmission. The pulvinar, first described in 1786 by Vicq d’Azyr and named by Burdach in 1817, refers to an elevated tribune used in Roman public games, while the pons of the brainstem reflects its role as a connecting structure between different regions of the brain, analogous to Roman bridges.

These terms not only demonstrate the enduring legacy of Greco-Roman culture in medicine but also highlight how architecture and neuroanatomy share a structural vision grounded in form and function. Through references to historical texts and literature, this article illustrates how these concepts have transcended their original contexts and become firmly established in contemporary medical language.