Bartolomeo Panizza

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Bartolomeo Panizza (1785-1867) was an Italian anatomist who was a native of Vicenza. He received a medical degree in surgery from Padua, and furthered his studies at Bologna and Pavia. Subsequently, he became a professor at the University of Pavia, and in 1835 a member of the Academia nazionale delle scienze (National Academy of Science). Panizza was a student and associate to famed anatomist Antonio Scarpa (1752-1832).

Panizza is remembered for being the first physician to discover that the posterior cortex was the center for vision. He published his findings in an 1855 treatise named Osservazioni sul nervo ottico (Observations on the Optic Nerve). At the time, his discovery was largely ignored, and it would be several years until the importance of Panizza's findings were realized. He also performed extensive studies of the lymphatic system of reptiles, and in 1833 described the "Foramen of Panizza", which is a hole with a valve that connects the left and right aorta in the crocodilian heart. Another anatomical eponym named after him are the Panizza's plexuses which are two plexuses of the lymph vessels in the lateral fossae of the frenulum of the prepuce.

[edit] Panizza’s landmarks in Pavia

In Pavia some landmarks stand as Panizza’s memory.

A marble statue, in a yard (“Cortile delle Statue”) of the old buildings of the University of Pavia, at N.65 of the central “Strada Nuova”. On the basament, there is the following inscription in Italian language: "A BARTOLOMEO PANIZZA / I DISCEPOLI E GLI AMMIRATORI / A. MDCCCLXXIII” (To Bartolomeo Panizza / The disciples and the admirers / Year 1873).

Panizza’s tomb in the Monumental Cemetery of Pavia (viale San Giovannino). Along the central lane, on the left, just between the tombs of two other important scientists, Adelchi Negri and Camillo Golgi, the funereal monument has a pyramid shape quite sweetened by a marble cloth. Under the bronze medallion representing the scientist’s profile, there is the following inscription in Italian language: “AL COMMENDATORE / BARTOLOMEO PANIZZA / PROFESSORE DI ANATOMIA SENATORE DEL REGNO / INSIGNE DI DOTTRINA / POPOLARMENTE AMATO / PER ANIMO INTEGRO SCHIETTO GENEROSO / VISSUTO 81 ANNI SINO A 17 APRILE 1867 / I FIGLI E LE FIGLIE / ONORATI DEL NOME GRATI DELL’AFFETTO / PREGANDO E LAGRIMANDO (POSERO?)”.