Anatomy of nervous system and emergence of neuroscience: A chronological journey across centuries.

Scholars began exploring anatomy of nervous system from ancient times; however, considerable progress could only be made during the European Renaissance from the 14th century onwards. The present study aimed to document significant discoveries in this context in chronological order to establish the cascading pattern of advancement in knowledge. The findings of Leonardo da Vinci (15th century), Vesalius (16th century) and their contemporaries, which were based on macroscopic dissection, helped to break the shackles of misconceptions in hypotheses prevalent from the time of Galen. However, very little headway could be achieved beyond superficial descriptions. Willis (17th century), through his experimental studies, provided the much-needed impetus and his discoveries put the study of brain and nervous system on their modern footing. In the following years, prominent researchers through their observations based on the use of microscopy and advanced histological techniques (prevalent after invention of microtome) contributed towards significant discoveries related to the morphological details of different components of nervous system. Such scientific activities culminated in remarkable advancements by the middle of 19th century. The advent of Golgi's staining technique and subsequent histological exploits of Cajal (late 19th century) established the neuron theory, which is central to comprehending the functioning of nervous system. Availability of Golgi's staining technique remarkably contributed in detailing the anatomical structure of nervous system at microscopic level. Access to structural details pertaining to living anatomy (late 20th century) and focus on findings at the molecular level by turn of 21st century have firmly established neuroscience as a sovereign academic discipline.