Naegele’s rule

Other Known Aliases – estimated date of delivery

Definition – estimation of delivery assuming a 280 day gestation period and is calculated from the FIRST day of the last menstrual cycle by adding 1 year, subtracting 3 months, and adding 7 days.

Clinical Significance – this is a quick and easy estimation of the delivery date for planning purposes and is used in most apps and delivery wheels. In the age of ease of ultrasound, direct measurement is becoming the standard, but this is still a very important calculation to remember.

History – Named after Franz Karl Naegele (1778-1851), who was a German obstetrician and received his medical doctorate from the the University of Bamberg. He had a very successful practice in Barmen, Germany, before he went on to become full professor of obstetrics in 1810 at the University of Heidelberg. He first mentioned his rule, and credited Hermann Boerhaave who first mentioned it in 1744, in a manuscript in 1812, but was given the eponym by Gunning Bedford, professor of obstetrics and diseases of Women and Children at the University of New York, in 1872.

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Up To Date. www.uptodate.com
6. Baskett TF. Eponym and Names in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 3rd Ed. Cambridge, UK. Cambridge University Press. 2019.
7. Baskett TF, Nagele F. Naegele’s Rule: a reappraisal. BJOG. 200;107(1):1433-1435.
8. Naegele FC. Erfahrungen und Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiethe der Krankheiten des Weiblichen Geschlechtes. Nebst Grundziigen einer Methodenlehre der Geburtshiilfe. Mannheim: Loeffler, 1812: 280-281
9. Bedford GS. The Principles and Practice of Obstetrics. 5th Edition. New York William Wood and Co, 1872:306.

Cooper’s Ligaments

Other Known Aliases – ligamenta suspensoria mammaria

Definition – connective tissue of the breast that helps maintain structural integrity

Clinical Significance – these ligaments run from the clavicle and clavipectoral fascia to the dermis of the skin under the breast and their main clinical function is to support the breast and contribute to the shape and contour of the breast.

History – Named after Sir Astley Paston Cooper (1768-1841), who was an English surgeon and anatomist and trained under Henry Cline and John Hunter before being appointed demonstrator of anatomy in 1789. This was the start to a well-renowned career as professor of anatomy and surgery throughout England culminating in receiving baronetcy in 1820 and becoming sergeant surgeon to George IV in 1828. He made tremendous contributions to the early advancement in surgery including his seminal work on hernias and surgical techniques in the management of vascular aneurysms. He first described his eponymous findings in his text “On the Anatomy of the Breast” in 1840.

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Up To Date. www.uptodate.com
6. Cooper AS. On the Anatomy of the Breast. 1840; London.

Tail of Spence

Other Known Aliases – processus lateralis mammae

Definition – triangular, tongue-shaped portion of breast tissue that extends superiorly and laterally toward the axilla, perforating the deep axillary fascia where it terminating in close proximity to the axillary lymph nodes.

Clinical Significance – Due to location of this breast tissue, many women may not exam this portion of the breast during self-exams. Therefore, given its close proximity to the axillary lymph nodes, providers need to pay close attention to this anatomic region.

History – Named after James Spence (1812-1882), who was a Scottish surgeon and received his medical doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1832. He went on to have a prolific career in teaching anatomy in the classroom and in the dissecting hall at various schools and universities, culminating in serving as chair of systematic surgery and Professor of Surgical Science at Edinburgh University in 1864. Clinically, he served as full house surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for many years leading up to his appointment as Surgeon in Ordinary to Queen Victoria in Scotland in 1865. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1866 and served as president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1867-1869.

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Up To Date. www.uptodate.com