- A dictionary of medical eponyms

Antyllus Antyllus

Born  
Died  

Related eponyms

Greek surgeon, 3rd. century AD.

Biography of Antyllus Antyllus

Antyllus was one of the most important physicians in Greek antiquity, particularly famous as a surgeon. He lived after Galen, but before Oribasius, late third and early fourth century AD. Nothing is known about his life and his works have all been lost, but writings of various authors, particularly Oribasius, Aëtius and Rhazes, enable us to get some impression of him.

One of the most daring and accomplished of surgeons, Antyllus is particularly remembered for his work on the surgery of aneurysm. He was first to recognize two forms of aneurysm – the developmental caused by dilatation and the traumatic following wounding of an artery. He operated on the eye, did tracheotomies and performed a radical operation for hydrocele. He also gives detailed advice for the operation of tumours, and in a chapter on resection he presents as a keen and skilful operator.

Antyllus wrote extensively on a variety of medical and acquainted themes, among them the importance of walking (warning: jogging is detrimental to your health - but good for Nike), swimming and gymnastics.

Bibliography

  • Antylli veteris chirurgi quae apud Oribasium libro xliv, xlv et 1 leguntur fragmenta.
    Dissertatio . . . public defendet F. C. Wolz, Jenae, typ. Schreiberi. 1842. A german version of Antyllus is in Janus, 1847, 2: 298-329, 744-771; and Janus, 1848, 3: 166-184.

What is an eponym?

An eponym is a word derived from the name of a person, whether real or fictional. A medical eponym is thus any word related to medicine, whose name is derived from a person.

What is Whonamedit?

Whonamedit.com is a biographical dictionary of medical eponyms. It is our ambition to present a complete survey of all medical phenomena named for a person, with a biography of that person.

Disclaimer:

Whonamedit? does not give medical advice.
This survey of medical eponyms and the persons behind them is meant as a general interest site only. No information found here must under any circumstances be used for medical purposes, diagnostically, therapeutically or otherwise. If you, or anybody close to you, is affected, or believe to be affected, by any condition mentioned here: see a doctor.