Corneille Heymans

Corneille Heymans receiving the Nobel Prize

Corneille Jean François Heymans (28 March 1892 – 18 July 1968) was a Belgian physiologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1938 for his discoveries concerning the role played by the sinus and aortic mechanisms in the regulation of respiration.

Early Life and Education

Corneille Heymans was born in Ghent, Belgium, into a family with a strong academic background. His father, Jean-François Heymans, was a professor of pharmacology at the University of Ghent. Corneille followed in his father's footsteps, studying medicine at the same university and obtaining his medical degree in 1920.

Academic Career

After completing his medical degree, Heymans pursued further studies in physiology and pharmacology in various European cities, including Paris, Lausanne, Vienna, and London. He returned to the University of Ghent, where he became a professor of pharmacology in 1930.

Research and Discoveries

Heymans is best known for his pioneering research on the regulation of respiration. His experiments demonstrated how the body senses changes in blood chemistry and adjusts breathing accordingly. He discovered that the carotid body and the aortic body are chemoreceptors that detect changes in blood oxygen levels and send signals to the brain to regulate breathing.

Nobel Prize

In 1938, Heymans was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries concerning the role of the sinus and aortic mechanisms in the regulation of respiration. His work provided a deeper understanding of how the body maintains homeostasis and responds to changes in the environment.

Later Life and Legacy

Heymans continued his research and teaching at the University of Ghent until his retirement. He was a member of several scientific societies and received numerous honors for his contributions to physiology and medicine. Heymans passed away on 18 July 1968, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research that continues to influence the field of respiratory physiology.

Related pages

• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Carotid body
• Aortic body
• Respiratory physiology