Volcher Coiter (also spelled Coyter or Koyter) (1534, Groningen - 2 June 1576, Brienne-le-Château) was a Dutch anatomist who established the study of comparative osteology and first described cerebrospinal meningitis.
Avian anatomy illustration by Coiter
Coiter was born in Groningen. He studied in Italy and France and was a pupil of Ulisse Aldrovandi, Gabriele Falloppio, Bartolomeo Eustachi and Guillaume Rondelet. He became city physician of Nürnberg in 1569 and later entered military service as field surgeon to Johann Casimir. His works included Externarum et Internarum Principalium Humani Corporis Partium Tabulae (1573) and De Avium Sceletis et Praecipius Musculis (1575). His work included detailed anatomical studies of birds as well as a classification of the birds based on structure and habits. He produced an early dichotomous classification key.[1]
Notes
- ^ Allen, Elsa G. (1951) The History of American Ornithology before Audubon. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, New Ser. 41(3):387-591.
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