Gustaf Retzius - a glimpse into his lifetimeachievements and into the fabric of his character

Magnus Gustaf Retzius, 1842-1919, was a prolific researcher, honored and respected at home and abroad during his lifetime. His achievements are many and varied. He established pivotal and essential foundations in human anatomy and natural sciences on which, even today, research, teaching, medicine and surgery are founded. He paved the way for future scientists to advance and progress in these fields. The precise portrayal and superb presentation of his studies bear witness toa man obsessed with revealing the absolute reality. The text of all his anatomic publications is in German. Regretfully noEnglish translations exist. The high points of Retzius' research will be presented, and a representation of his lesser-knownpursuits described. This paper aspires to arouse reflection on Retzius' philosophy, principles, standards and sources of inspiration

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Retzius MG. Das Gehörorgan der Wirbelthiere. Morphologisch- histologische Studien. Band I. Das Gehörorgan der Fische und Amphibien. Band II. Das Gehörorgan der Reptilien, der Vögel und der Säugethiere. Stockholm: Samson Wallin; 1881-1884.

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Retzius MG. Das Menschenhirn. Studien in der makroskopischen Morphologie. Band I-II. Stockholm: Nordstedt; 1896.

Retzius MG. Das Affenhirn in bildlicher Darstellung. Jena: Gustav Fischer; 1906.

Retzius MG. Notiz über die Windungen an der unteren Fläche des Splenium corporis callosi beim Menschen und bei Tieren. Arch Anat Physiol Anat Abthlg 1877;474-9.

Retzius MG. Zur Morphologie der Fascia dentata und ihrer Umgebung. Biologische Untersuchungen 1898;8:49-58.

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