Historical Terminology for Describing the Extraocular Muscles in the 16th Century

ABSTRACT

The terms that we currently use to name extraocular muscles refer to their insertion and action. In antiquity, these muscles were referred to differently, using terms that have become obsolete and nowadays appear rather unusual to us. This article evaluates the different names of extraocular muscles reported in the Opera anatomica in quinque libros divisa (1593) by André du Laurens (1558–1609), which is the earliest anatomical book providing a nomenclature for these muscles both related and unrelated to their action. In the 16th century, some names of muscles responsible for ocular movements did not reflect their anatomical features, such as their appearance, insertion, or function. Rather, they described metaphoric and anthropomorphic attributes of the muscles, emphasizing their role in expressing emotions through eye movements.

KEYWORDS:

• Anatomy
• extraocular muscles
• history of medicine
• history of orthoptics
• oculomotor muscles

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).