What is it about?
The article examines how a brief episode from the Greek myth of Pan and Syrinx can be interpreted through the lens of neurosurgery. By linking mythological symbolism with the structure and function of the nervous system, the authors highlight parallels between ancient storytelling and modern clinical understanding. The piece uses the myth as a reflective tool rather than a literal medical source.
Featured Image
Photo by Christian Chomiak on Unsplash
Why is it important?
It shows how mythology can enrich neurosurgical thinking by offering symbolic insight into human vulnerability, transformation, and healing. By connecting classical narratives with medical practice it reinforces the role of the humanities in the field of medicine. It encourages clinicians to view neurosurgery not only as a technical field but also as a discipline shaped by cultural meaning and human experience.
Perspectives
The conception, writing, and, of course, publication of this kind of article gives me great pleasure. I hope it has the same effect for readers.
Professor Tayfun Hakan
University of Health Sciences, İstanbul
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Neurosurgery and a small section from the Greek myth: the God Pan and Syrinx, Child s Nervous System, December 2008, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s00381-008-0774-6.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
