1. A closer approach to Alexander Monro family and its influence in modern anatomy
Author: Ostopovici Marta
Co-author: Darie Ruxandra
Coordinator: Prof. Enciulescu Constantin, MD,PhD;
Marisiensis, 2014

2. Introduction Alexander Monro family:
A Scottish family formed by three generations of anatomists
Primus, Secundus and Tertius
Chair of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh for 126 years

3. The Great Founder- John Monro
Youngest son of Sir Alexander Monro
A military surgeon in the army of Charles II
In 1700 left the army
Encouraged his son to study medicine

4. Monro dynasty Sir Alexander Monro (1670–1740) John Monro
( )
Primus
( )
Secundus
( )
Tertius

5. The Objective The value of a strong legacy
Three generations of anatomists?
The end of a brilliant dynasty marked by the death of
Dr. Paul Alexander Monro in July 2013

6. Medical historical books
Material and Method:
Collected data from:
Online journals
Historical articles
Medical historical books
Descriptive study…

7. The Monroes
Medical career
Discoveries
Publications

8. Alexander Monro Primus- Monro Senior
First anatomist from this dynasty
Joined the University at the age of 13- Greek and Latin philosophy, French, dancing, music and painting
Applied for Medical School at the age of 16
Gifted and talented
Studied in London, Paris, Leiden
( )

9. Alexander Monro Primus
Joined a scientific society
“The bones in general”
“Bursa intratendinea olecrani” - within brachial triceps muscle tendon
Anatomical preparations
Museum and Amphitheatre

10. Alexander Monro Primus
Books concerning nerves, heart and mamary gland.
Hospital for poor people
Scientific society
Prestigious medical center
Attractive reputation - William Hunter
Doctor Honoris Causa
Treasure for his son
William Hunter

11. Alexander Monro Secundus- Monro Junior
A famous anatomist, a great physician
The most important member of Monro dynasty
Joined medical school at the age of 11
“Works”- Alexander Monro Primus
Professor at 21 years old
Thesis about seminiferous tubules
„De veins lymphaticis valvulosis” – 2 circuits
( )

12. Alexander Monro Secundus
Important works about nervous system
„Foramen intervetriculare”
Point of communication between 3rd and lateral ventricles of the brain.
“Monro’s cyst”
Ependymal cyst on foramen interventriculare
“Monro’s sulcus”
The hypothalmic sulcus.
Who named it?

13. Alexander Monro Secundus
Monro-Kellie doctrine
„changes in the amount of blood in the cranial cavity, which is rigid and closed, are directly proportional to changes in the cerebrospinal fluid”

14. Alexander Monro Secundus
Monro-Richter line
Surgical handbook
McBurney point occurs on this line.
A line passing from the umbilicus to the anterior superior iliac spine.

15. Alexander Monro - Tertius
Not so great
Studied in Paris and London
Professor in 1801
A lasting value??
( )

16. Around 89 scientific papers and books
Results:
Monro-Kellie doctrine
Foramen intervetriculare
Monro’s sulcus
Bursa tendinea olecrani
Monro-Richter line
Monro’s cyst
Around 89 scientific papers and books

17. Conclusion: Their studies involved many medical fields such as:
Nervous system
Lymphatic system
Gastrointestinal system
Reproductive system
Their studies involved many medical fields such as:
Remarkable lineage
Important treasure

18. Pros: Cons: Discussion: I) Great teacher which attracted many students
I) Improved medical school in Edinburgh
II) Gifted speaker and great doctor
Cons:
II) Polemical fight with Hunter
III) Charles Darwin was saying that „Tertius made his lectures on human anatomy as dull as he was himself”

19. Bibliography:
Alexander Monro Primus- The anatomy of the Human Bones, Edinburgh, 1726
Alexander Monro Secundus- The works of Alexander Monro, Edinburgh, 1781
Alexander Monro Secundus- The veins lymphaticis valvulosis, Berlin, 1757
Alexander Monro Secundus- Microscopical Inquiries into Nerves and Brain, Edinburgh, 1780
Alexander Monro Secundus- Observations on the Structure and Function of the Nervous System, Edinburgh, 1783

20. Thank you!