Gaspare Aselli

Gaspare Aselli

Gaspare Aselli, known for his discovery of the lacteal vessels

Born	c. 1581
Birth place	Cremona, Duchy of Milan
Died	14 April 1626
Place of death	Milan, Duchy of Milan
Nationality	Italian
Known for	Discovery of the lacteal vessels

Gaspare Aselli (c. 1581 – 14 April 1626) was an Italian anatomist and physician, renowned for his discovery of the lacteal vessels in the small intestine, which was a significant advancement in the understanding of the lymphatic system. His work laid the groundwork for future research in anatomy and physiology, particularly in the study of the digestive and lymphatic systems.

Biography

Gaspare Aselli was born around 1581 in Cremona, a city in the Duchy of Milan. He pursued his education in Pavia, where he studied medicine and anatomy. Aselli spent much of his career as a professor and practicing physician in Milan, where he conducted his most famous anatomical observations.

Discovery of the Lacteal Vessels

While conducting experiments on dogs in 1622, Aselli accidentally discovered the lacteal vessels of the small intestine. These vessels appeared as white threads when the intestine was exposed and filled with chyle after the dog had consumed milk. This discovery was significant because it challenged the prevailing understanding of digestion and nutrient absorption. Aselli named these vessels "lacteal" due to their milky appearance and detailed his findings in his work De lactibus sive lacteis venis, published posthumously in 1627.

Impact on Medicine and Anatomy

Aselli's discovery of the lacteal vessels was a pivotal moment in the history of medicine. It provided insight into the mechanisms of digestion and the transport of nutrients, which were poorly understood at the time. His work contributed to the broader study of the lymphatic system, encouraging further research by anatomists such as Olof Rudbeck and Thomas Bartholin, who later discovered the larger lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes.

Legacy

Gaspare Aselli's contributions to anatomy and medicine are commemorated in the naming of the Aselli's veins, another term for the lacteal vessels. His pioneering work on the lymphatic system remains a foundational part of medical history, illustrating the importance of observation and experimentation in the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Selected Works

• De lactibus sive lacteis venis (1627)

See Also

• Lymphatic system
• History of anatomy
• Olof Rudbeck
• Thomas Bartholin

References

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