The Anatomy of the Brain

Not quite as famous as his predecessor Thomas Willis, Humphrey Ridley, M.D. (1653–1708) is an important figure in the history of neuroanatomical research, and like Willis, his anatomical gaze was focused on the neurological system. Ridley built upon the cerebrovascular injections of ink and liquor favored by Willis by using warm injections of mercury and tinged wax, which would harden upon cooling and make the vascular anatomy much clearer and easier to dissect. Using this technique, he observed and described the ophthalmic artery and trigeminal ganglion. He was also the first to accurately describe the blood-brain barrier and subarachnoid cisterns.

The first work of neuroanatomy written in English, this landmark book includes five exceedingly beautiful copper plate engravings illustrated by the surgeon William Cowper. Ridley had a keen sense of observation, using the brains of executed criminals to describe new anatomical descriptions and expand on the works of his predecessors.