Wilder Penfield
Wilder Penfield
Wilder Penfield (pronunciation: /ˈwaɪldər ˈpɛnfiːld/) was a pioneering neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who made significant contributions to the understanding of the human brain.
Etymology
The name "Wilder" is of English origin and means "wild animal's lair," while "Penfield" is also of English origin and means "open land with a pen." However, these meanings do not have any direct connection to Penfield's work or life.
Biography
Wilder Penfield was born on January 26, 1891, in Spokane, Washington, and died on April 5, 1976, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in neurology, particularly in the development of the Montreal Procedure, a surgical treatment for epilepsy.
Contributions to Medicine
Penfield's most significant contribution to medicine was the development of the Montreal Procedure, a surgical technique used to treat epilepsy. This procedure involves the stimulation of the brain with electrical probes while the patient is conscious, allowing the surgeon to identify and remove the area of the brain causing the seizures.
Penfield also made significant contributions to the understanding of neuralgia, brain tumors, and cerebral palsy. His research has had a profound impact on the field of neurology and continues to influence medical practice today.
Related Terms
- Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
- Epilepsy: A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Montreal Procedure: A surgical technique developed by Wilder Penfield used to treat epilepsy.
- Neuralgia: Intense, typically intermittent pain along the course of a nerve, especially in the head or face.
- Brain Tumors: A mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain.
- Cerebral Palsy: A condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wilder Penfield
- Wikipedia's article - Wilder Penfield
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