Johann Christian Rosenmüller

Who was Johann Christian Rosenmüller?

Johann Christian Rosenmüller was a German anatomist born near Hildburghausen, Thuringia. He was the son of theologian Johann Georg Rosenmüller.

He received his education at the Universities of Leipzig and Erlangen, and in 1794 was appointed prosector at the anatomical institute at Leipzig. In 1797 he earned his doctorate, and from 1802 until his death was a professor of anatomy and surgery at the University of Leipzig.

An avid speleologist, in 1794 he provided the binomial name of Ursus spelaeus for the extinct cave bear from his analysis of bones found near the village of Muggendorf. He was the author of several treatises on anatomy and surgery, and has the following anatomical terms named after him:

Rosenmüller's fossa: The lateral nasopharyngeal recess.

Rosenmüller's gland: The palpebral portion of the lacrimal gland.

Rosenmüller's organ: Also known as the parovarium.