Phineas Gage

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Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage (pronounced: /ˈfɪniːəs ɡeɪdʒ/) was an American railroad construction foreman remembered for his improbable survival of an accident in which a large iron rod was driven completely through his head, destroying much of his brain's left frontal lobe, and for that injury's reported effects on his personality and behavior over the remaining 12 years of his life.

Etymology

The name "Phineas" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "oracle". The surname "Gage" is of Old French origin, meaning "pledge or measure". There is no specific etymology related to the medical incident.

Accident

On September 13, 1848, Gage was directing a work gang blasting rock while preparing the roadbed for the Rutland & Burlington Railroad south of the village of Cavendish, Vermont. After a hole was drilled into a body of rock, one of Gage's duties was to add blasting powder, a fuse, and sand, then compact the charge into the hole using a tamping iron. An accidental premature explosion propelled the tamping iron through Gage's skull.

Medical Significance

The case of Phineas Gage played a role in the development of the understanding of the human brain and its function. It provided the first evidence suggesting that the frontal lobes were involved in personality and behavior. Gage's case was often cited in support of the idea that damage to the frontal lobes can affect aspects of personality and social behavior.

Related Terms

  • Frontal Lobe: The part of the brain located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere, responsible for the ability to predict the consequences of actions, the control of purposeful behaviors, decision making, and the ability to moderate social behavior. The right frontal lobe is involved in spatial tasks, such as imagining objects in three dimensions.
  • Rutland & Burlington Railroad: A historic railroad in the New England region of the United States, operating in the mid-19th century.
  • Human Brain: The central organ of the human nervous system, responsible for controlling most of the body's functions and cognitive abilities.

External links

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