Retracing the observations and footsteps of Beauchêne fils: A blueprint for scientific research.

Abstract

Throughout the years, scientific and personal research has led us on a historical journey to learn about the life of Beauchêne fils (Edme François Chauvot de Beauchêne), a French clinical anatomist, prosector, and surgeon responsible for introducing the disarticulated skull technique and the first citation of an intraneural cyst. This letter describes our research, travels, and conversations intended to uncover the fascinating history of Beauchêne fils and his family and our journey full of unexpected twists and turns. During a trip to Paris, we learned of a possible inspiration for the disarticulated skull technique from skulls afflicted with la teigne (Tinea corporis, ring worm) at the Musée Dupuytren. We toured the estate of his family's summer home in Paron, France, where we discovered a portrait of Beauchêne fils' father that had been misidentified in our recent publication. We also discovered the date of death and elusive burial site of Beauchêne fils in Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. We hope to bring to light the life and contributions of a nearly unknown figure who influenced not only research on intraneural ganglion cysts and the articular theory, but also the future of the field of anatomy. Clin. Anat. 31:1194-1198, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.