Leopold Auerbach's achievements in the field of vascular system.

Abstract

The scientific activity of Leopold Auerbach (1828-1897) was associated with Wrocław (Brelsau) medical school, which was renowned for brilliant descriptors of cardiovascular system, whose world-famous achievements became eponymous in history of medicine. Such terms as plexus myentericus Auerbach and Friedreich-Auerbach disease are still used worldwide. Little is known about the fact that the vascular system was at least as important in his scientific impact as neuromuscular field. Actually, one could realize that ganglion cells, which were previously discovered in cardiac location, were identified by Auerbach at interface between circular and longitudinal layer of intestinal tunica muscularis proporia. Consequently, Auerbach focused closely on vessels after examination of neural and muscular components of selected parts of gastrointestinal tract. Namely, he noticed that tightly grouped cells that formed vessels in the process of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis to constitute the lining of capillaries, possessed nuclei.