Heart: A History
Heart: A History
The Heart (pronunciation: /hɑːrt/) is a vital organ in the human body that has a rich history in both medical and cultural contexts.
Etymology
The word "heart" comes from the Old English heorte, similar to the Old High German herza and the Gothic hairto. All these words are derived from the Proto-Germanic *hertô, which is thought to stem from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱḗr.
Anatomy and Function
The heart is a muscular organ located in the chest, slightly to the left of the sternum. Its primary function is to pump blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.
Historical Understanding
Historically, the heart has been considered the seat of emotion, intuition, and even the soul. Ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the center of life and morality. In the Middle Ages, the heart was symbolically and anatomically the body's most important organ.
In the medical field, the understanding of the heart and its function has evolved significantly over time. Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates believed that the heart was the source of the body's heat. Later, Roman physician Galen proposed that the heart was the source of the body's blood, which was then consumed by the body.
It wasn't until the 17th century that English physician William Harvey accurately described the heart's function as a pump circulating blood throughout the body. This marked a significant turning point in the history of cardiology.
Related Terms
- Cardiology: The study of the heart and its diseases.
- Cardiovascular system: The organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients.
- Myocardium: The muscular tissue of the heart.
- Aorta: The main artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart.
- Ventricle: One of two large chambers in the heart which collect and expel blood.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heart: A History
- Wikipedia's article - Heart: A History
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