Johann Evangelista Purkinje (1787-1869) was a pioneer Czech experimental physiologist and histologist who created his own laboratory at Breslau University. Histology: from Greek "histos" = tissue, web; "logos" = account, discourse, study, had been coined c.1819. Purkinge in 1839 introduced the term "protoplasma", from Greek "proto" = first, and "plasm" = mould or cast. He also left a legacy of new micro-anatomical structures (Purkinje cells in the brain, P. fibres in the heart), all supportive of the newly recognised cell theory.
Created 25 January 2017
Last modified 16 January 2023