What is the significance of the term Achilles' heel in anatomy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the term "Achilles' heel" in anatomy, its historical origins, and its cultural significance. Participants explore the term's connection to the myth of Achilles and its usage in both anatomical and metaphorical contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the term "Achilles' heel" was first used by the Dutch anatomist Verheyden in 1693, referencing his own amputated leg.
  • Others question whether Verheyden named the "Achilles' heel" or merely referred to the "Achilles' tendon," suggesting a possible confusion in terminology.
  • A participant reflects philosophically on the concept of an "Achilles heel," proposing that everyone has one, even if they are unaware of it.
  • There are references to the myth of Achilles, including discussions about his mother Thetis and the methods she used to try to make him immortal, which adds a layer of historical context to the term.
  • Some posts diverge into humor and off-topic discussions, such as cravings for leg of lamb and thread hijacking, which may detract from the main anatomical discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the origin and meaning of "Achilles' heel," with no clear consensus on whether the term was appropriately used by Verheyden or if it has deeper mythological roots. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact historical usage and implications of the term.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the definitions and historical context of the term "Achilles' heel," as well as the accuracy of its attribution to Verheyden. The discussion also includes playful banter that may distract from the anatomical focus.

wolram
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The term “Achilles’ heel” was first used by a Dutch anatomist, Verheyden, in 1693 when he dissected his own amputated leg.

Do you have an achilles heel ? I guess mine is my pride at work.
 
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strong man he must have been, catching his own amputated leg!
and disecting it
 
wolram said:
Do you have an achilles heel ? I guess mine is my pride at work.
I have two.
 
:cry::cry::cry::cry:
why can i never hijack a thread?
:cry::cry::cry::cry:
hope this one will do
 
I may have a Achilles high-heel some where in the closet.
 
For goodness sake, hypatia, let the birthday boy have his hijacking if he wants it that much.
 
ok...but is anyone else haveing a craving for Leg of lamb?
 
hypatia said:
ok...but is anyone else haveing a craving for Leg of lamb?
Isn't that forhidden?
(Dutch names are so difficult..)
 
ok, being compleatly lost with forhidden, I googled forhidden&Norway and came up with this...On the mountains you can hunt forhidden gold - cloudberries.
http://www.rondeheim.no/en_files/HTML/rondeheim/en_summer.html
 
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  • #10
hypatia said:
ok, being compleatly lost with forhidden,
It was a pun on the name Verheyden and the word "forbidden".
I googled forhidden&Norway and came up with this...On the mountains you can hunt forhidden gold - cloudberries.
http://www.rondeheim.no/en_files/HTML/rondeheim/en_summer.html
Ok, you've made your point. My pun wasn't very good.
 
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  • #11
Wolram buddy, they're :devil: stealing your thread. Here are the cops to rescue it. Unfortunately they googled for http://mbhs.bergtraum.k12.ny.us/cybereng/shorts/lamb.html
 
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  • #12
lol Andre! Touché!
 
  • #13
I'm guessing it would not be wise to say that everyone has an achilles heel anatomically speaking.

Being a bit philosphocial one may say:

"Everyone has an Achilles heel, and those that do not realize it have the most apparent of all"
 
  • #14
wolram said:
The term “Achilles’ heel” was first used by a Dutch anatomist, Verheyden, in 1693 when he dissected his own amputated leg.
The term "Achilles' heel" has to come from the story of Achilles. I can't believe no one used the term until 1693. Are you sure this anatomist didn't merely name the "Achilles' tendon"?
 
  • #15
gurkhawarhorse said:
:cry::cry::cry::cry:
why can i never hijack a thread?
:cry::cry::cry::cry:
hope this one will do

Do not worry Horsey, it is a skill, the old timers have mastered,
but are not yet masters of. :smile:
 
  • #16
zoobyshoe said:
The term "Achilles' heel" has to come from the story of Achilles. I can't believe no one used the term until 1693. Are you sure this anatomist didn't merely name the "Achilles' tendon"?

Was it even his heel ?? or some other spot.
 
  • #17
When Achilles was born, his loving mother Thetis wished to make him immortal, and for that purpose she dipped him in the waters of the river Styx [for this river see Underworld]. But others affirm that she, without the knowledge of the child's father, used to put the babe in the fire by night in order to destroy the mortal element which Achilles had inherited from Peleus, while anointing him with ambrosia during the day. But when Peleus saw the child writhing on the fire, he cried out, thus preventing Thetis from accomplishing her purpose [Apd.3 .13.6]. Then she threw the screaming child to the ground, and leaving both husband and son, departed to the NEREIDS and never returned again to Phthia, though she always kept an eye on her offspring.
____

"From mortal sight he [Apollo] vanished into cloud,
And cloaked with mist a baleful shaft he shot
Which leapt to Achilles' ankle..." - Fall of Troy (Quintus Smyrnaeus)

- http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Achilles.html
On the same page, there's a Rubens painting, Paris doodt Achilles, depicting Paris shooting Achilles through the ankle/heel. I don't know when it was painted, but Rubens died in 1640.

I ?hurt? (it didn't rupture completely) my Achilles tendon once - I couldn't walk with that foot for a few days, but it wasn't so bad. I think I hurt myself more trying to hop and crawl around the house. :rolleyes:
Anywho, PF is my only weakness. o:) Well, there is something else, but it's a secret.
 
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  • #18
honestrosewater said:
PF is my only weakness.
Kryptonite for me. (but don't tell anyone)
 
  • #19
Mk said:
Kryptonite for me. (but don't tell anyone)
My other weakness is men in tights! :!)
 

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