Willis

WILLIS (Thomas Willis, 1622-75; more correctly Willis), one of the outstanding English physicians of the 17th century; he initially studied theology at Oxford, but, due to the persecution of the Anglican Church by Cromwell, began to study medicine. In 1660 he received the position of professor of natural philosophy at Oxford. In 1666 he moved to London, where he acquired great fame as an outstanding practical physician. Willis earned deserved fame with his outstanding works in the field of anatomy and physiology of the brain and its vascular system. In modern anatomical nomenclature there are 'circulus arteriosus Willisii' and 'n. accessorius Willisii' to denote the ring-shaped or rather pentagonal arterial anastomosis at the base of the brain and for the XI pair of cranial nerves. Willis's works in the field of practical medicine, constantly based on data from anatomy and physiology, are no less important, written vividly and supplied with excellent historical notes. From his anatomical works, the most outstanding should be noted: 'Cerebri anatome, cui accessit nervorum descriptio et usus' (Londini, 1664). Willis's arterial circle, see Brain. Willis's nerve, see Accessorius nervus Willisii.