Ibn al-Nafis

Ibn al-Nafis (1213–1288) was an Arab physician who is mostly famous for his early discovery of the pulmonary circulation of the blood. The work of Ibn al-Nafis regarding the right sided (pulmonary) circulation pre-date the later work (1628) of William Harvey's work De Motu Cordis. Both theories attempt to explain circulation.

Early life and education

Ibn al-Nafis was born in 1213 in Damascus. He studied medicine and philosophy at the Nuri Hospital in Damascus under the tutelage of the eminent physician Ibn Abi Usaybi'ah.

Career

In 1236, Ibn al-Nafis moved to Egypt, worked in the Al-Nasri Hospital, and taught in the Al-Mansuriyya School in Cairo. He became the chief physician there and personal physician for many influential people of his time, including the Sultan of Egypt.

Contributions to medicine

Ibn al-Nafis made several contributions to medicine. He was the first to describe the pulmonary circulation of the blood. The pulmonary circulation is the portion of the cardiovascular system which carries oxygen-depleted blood away from the heart, to the lungs, and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart.

Death and legacy

Ibn al-Nafis died in 1288. His work was rediscovered in the 20th century and his contributions to medicine have been recognized worldwide.

See also

• History of medicine
• Islamic Golden Age
• Medical literature

References

Ibn al-Nafis Resources
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