Johann Christian Rosenmüller (1771-1820): A Historical Perspective on the Man behind the Fossa

Abstract

Introduction?The fossa of Rosenm?ller, also known as the lateral pharyngeal recess, is a well-established site of origin of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is located in the lateral pharyngeal wall behind the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube, the torus tubarius, and is named after Johann Christian Rosenm?ller (JCR). Objective?We present a history on the life and extensive works of Johann Christian Rosenm?ller, a German physician and anatomist. Results?Johann Christian Rosenm?ller was a dedicated anatomist. In addition to identifying the fossa of Rosenm?ller, his influence extends to various other anatomic subjects, including the Rosenm?ller gland, the palpebral portion of the lacrimal gland, and the organ of Rosenm?ller (i.e., the caudal remnant of the mesonephric duct). He was also an avid speleologist, studying the composition of caves and their life forms. For his contributions to this field, he had a cave in Germany and an extinct species named after him?Rosenm?llerh?hle and Ursus spelaeus Rosenm?ller, respectively. Conclusion?The fossa of Rosenm?ller plays an important role in the growth and surgical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We present a brief glimpse into the life of Johann Christian Rosenm?ller, for whom it was named.

The Anatomical and Measurement Study of Rosenmüller Fossa and Oropharyngeal Structures Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

“…The fossa is encased in nasopharyngeal mucosa and fundamentally extends by way of a defect between the superior constrictor muscle fibers and the cranial floor. The superior constrictor muscle fibers project from several pieces of the lower oropharynx to the cranial floor, however, the fibers only arrive the cranial base in the midline ( 11 ).…”

“…The borders of RF ( 11 ) are as follows: anterior – eustachian tube, levator palatini muscle; posterior – posterior wall of the nasopharynx and the retropharyngeal space; lateral – parapharyngeal space and tensor veli palatini muscle; inferior – upper edge of the superior constrictor muscle; and superior – skull base with several structures involving foramen spinosum, carotid canal, foramina spinosum and ovale. Laterally, RF is located behind the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube (approximately 1.5 cm in adults).…”

Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients in Departement of Orl-HNS Hasan Sadikin General Hospital 2010 -2017

“…NPC is a malignant tumor in head and neck, originating from nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, Rosenmüller fossa was decisived to be the foremost common location of root of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) [4]. The disease is 100% associated with infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially the most common undifferentiated form of NPC (WHO type III).…”

“…Behind the eustachian tube ostium, laterally from salpingopharyngeal fold there is a pharyngeal recess (Rosenmüller fossa). The fossa is covered by nasopharyngeal mucosa and is the most well-known site of cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) [2][3][4].…”

History of otorhinolaryngology in Germany before 1921

“…He identified pavement, cylindrical, and ciliated forms and found the latter types on the anterior wall of the larynx and on the posterior wall only immediately above the superior vocal ligaments. As early as in 1805, Johann Christian Rosenmüller (1771–1820; [ 149 ]) of Leipzig described the pharyngeal recess behind the ostium of the Eustachian tube, which bore his name [ 150 ]. In 1816, he also published a dissertation on the defect of the olfactory nerve [ 151 ].…”