Eponyms in cerebrovascular anatomy and their origins

Abstract

An anatomical eponym is a term generated from the name of the scientist who first discovered or described an anatomical structure. It is a way to bestow credit and give homage to the pioneer efforts which, from this point on, becomes engraved in Medical History. Although the same structures have received alternative, more descriptive terms at the Anatomical Terminology¹ - as a general, abiding rule to facilitate communication - eponyms are still widely used. In vascular neuroanatomy there are four revered venous eponyms - all of them used daily in clinical practice - namely the veins of Galen, Rosenthal, Trolard and Labbé. To know these structures by their eponyms, as well as their corresponding names in the Anatomical Terminology, not only facilitates communication among health professionals but also preserves memory and keeps History alive. This study presents the descriptive, microsurgical, and angiographic anatomy of four widely used venous eponyms in cerebrovascular anatomy, correlating each of them with its history and corresponding terms in Anatomical Terminology