The diagnosis of art: facial nerve palsy in ancient Rome

Johnson, Harvey L.

doi:10.1258/jrsm.2009.090069

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Metropolitan Museum (21.88.14). The portrait illustrates the signs of right-sided seventh nerve palsy 4 …”

Section: Facial Paralysis Depicted In Cultural Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, Roman sculptures may have provided possible evidence of stroke. Figure 2 depicts a military general from 1 BC who is thought to have right-sided FNP as the corner of his mouth sags, the zygomatic musculature is atrophied, and the right eye is wider than the left 4 . Researchers in Peru also believe that they have found evidence of FNP in ancient Moche ceramics (1–8 CE) 5 .…”

Section: Facial Paralysis Depicted In Cultural Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure 2 depicts a military general from 1 BC who is thought to have right-sided FNP as the corner of his mouth sags, the zygomatic musculature is atrophied, and the right eye is wider than the left. 4 Researchers in Peru also believe that they have found evidence of FNP in ancient Moche ceramics (1-8 CE). 5 Finally, the North American Inupiaq ceremonial mask in Figure 3 displays possible features of right-sided FNP.…”

Section: Facial Paralysis Depicted In Cultural Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Historical Perspective on the Management of Facial Paralysis

et al. 2022

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Documented evidence of facial nerve paralysis (FNP) and its treatment have been discovered in many early civilizations dating back centuries. Early records are present in art and scripts across ancient civilizations and have laid the groundwork for the implementation of many managements used in modern practice. Although the current management of FNP is still evolving, it includes a complex and multimodal spectrum of options ranging from pharmacologic therapy to facial physical therapy and neuromuscular training, and surgical facial reanimation interventions via static and dynamic procedures. The aim of this review is not to provide an up-to-date glossary of modern management options but rather to discuss the historical evidence of FNP and treatments leading up to current techniques and practices.

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“…Metropolitan Museum (21.88.14). The portrait illustrates the signs of right-sided seventh nerve palsy 4 …”

Section: Facial Paralysis Depicted In Cultural Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Facial Paralysis Depicted In Cultural Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Facial Paralysis Depicted In Cultural Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Historical Perspective on the Management of Facial Paralysis

et al. 2022

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“…Specifically, the right side of the face hangs downwards, and all of the muscles on that side of the face appear atrophied, in contrast to the relative tonicity of the left side. As such, the portrait has been assumed to belong to a man suffering from Bell's palsy (Johnson 2009).…”

Section: Paralysis and Spasms In The Plastic Arts Of The Republican Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Diseases through the Lens of Roman Sculpture

Fadda

2021

Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal

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Roman sculpture has often given the impression that it provides such a precise simulacrum of the bodies of ancient Romans that their statues can be studied autoptically as if they were a patient. Specialists in medicine and art-history have studied Roman sculptures to the point of producing real medical diagnoses, generating a research niche which, while controversial, has led to some interesting discoveries. However, scholars had sometimes misunderstand certain elements of ancient sculptures, interpreting aesthetic choices as clinical signs. In the article several works of art from the Republican period to the Tetrarchic age will be observed, to assess if the diagnoses made on them are due to actual physical features of the individuals portrayed or not. This article analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the study of ancient pathologies through Roman sculpture to delineate the limits and the possibilities of such approach.

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The diagnosis of art: facial nerve palsy in ancient Rome

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

A Historical Perspective on the Management of Facial Paralysis

A Historical Perspective on the Management of Facial Paralysis

Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Diseases through the Lens of Roman Sculpture

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