Inclusive Anatomy
Historical Timeline
1800
1840
Astley Paston Cooper
Sir Astley Paston Cooper published On the Anatomy of the Breast, providing the first detailed description of the suspensory ligaments of the breast, which he referred to as the ligamenta suspensoria. The precise date at which his name became associated with the eponym is unknown.[3]
Present
Eponym:
The suspensory ligaments of the breasts are commonly referred to as Cooper’s ligaments, named after the English surgeon and anatomist Sir Astley Paston Cooper (1768–1841).[1]
Cooper began his surgical training at the age of sixteen under surgeon Henry Cline at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.[1] He was appointed demonstrator of anatomy in 1789 and later became a lecturer in anatomy and surgery in 1791.[1] In 1800, Cooper was appointed surgeon at Guy’s Hospital.[1]
Following the successful removal of an infected sebaceous cyst from King George IV’s scalp, Cooper was appointed Sergeant Surgeon to King George IV, King William IV, and Queen Victoria.[1] He also served as President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1827 and 1836.[1]
Scientific Contributions:
Sir Astley Cooper made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of breast disease, vascular aneurysms, hernias, orthopedic surgery, and hand surgery.[2] He published six major surgical and anatomical works during his career.[2]
Astley Paston Cooper– Image Obtained From: Cabanès - Grands névropathes, Tome III, via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
In On the Anatomy of the Breast (1840), Cooper provided detailed illustrations and descriptions of the suspensory ligaments, stating that “the folds of the breast are sustained by the ligamenta suspensoria, which are continued to the skin.”[3] He further described these structures as passing from the anterior surface of the gland to the skin, where they support the glandular processes.[3] Although Cooper was the first to describe these ligaments in detail, the exact point at which his name became permanently associated with the eponym “Cooper’s ligaments” remains unclear.[4]
Other Eponyms:
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Cooper’s disease
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Cooper’s ligament (pectineal ligament)
References
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Doganay E. Sir Astley Paston Cooper (1768–1841): the man and his personality. J Med Biogr. 2015;23(4):209-216. doi:10.1177/0967772013506683
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Hutchison RL, Rayan GM. Astley Cooper: his life and surgical contributions. J Hand Surg Am. 2011;36(2):316-320. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.10.036
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Cooper AP. On the Anatomy of the Breast. 1840.
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Brock RC. The life and work of Sir Astley Cooper. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1969;44(1):1-18.
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