Unpublished paper, 'On the function of the thyroid body' by Peter Martyn

Description

After referring to the form, situation, connections and internal structure of the thyroid body, its large supply of blood and its capability of sudden alterations of bulk, Martyn briefly refers to the unsatisfactory explanations which have been offered as to its function, and then proceeds to state his own views, as follows: 'The upper part of the trachea, the larynx, and the passage of the fauces and mouth constitute the organ of voice; the two former are the essential or voicing part as mechanicians call it, that which produces the tone. The larynx and trachea—taking a share in other functions and being associated by juxtaposition and attachment with contiguous organs—are always pervious and open for respiration; lengthen and shorten, fall and rise with the œsophagus in deglutition, and bend and turn with the universal motions of the head and neck'.

Includes three pages of anatomical drawings. Annotations in pencil throughout.

Subject: Physiology

Received 13 November 1856. Communicated by Professor [Arthur] Henfrey.

Whilst the Royal Society declined to publish this paper in full, an abstract of the paper was published in volume 8 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'On the function of the thyroid body'.

Reference number

AP/39/6

Earliest possible date

February 1856

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

10 pages

Format

Drawing
Manuscript