Retzius

Retzius is a Swedish surname that appears in anatomy, anthropology, and related sciences. The two figures most often cited are Anders Retzius (1796–1860), an anatomist and anthropologist who helped develop craniometry and the study of human variation, and Gustaf (Gustav) Retzius (1842–1919), a physician and anatomist known for work in dental and neural anatomy. The surname thus appears in several anatomical terms named for these scientists and their colleagues.

Space of Retzius: The space of Retzius, also called the retropubic space, is a potential anatomical space located between the pubic bone and the urinary bladder in the anterior pelvis. It is clinically relevant in pelvic surgery, urology, and obstetrics, where surgical access to the bladder, prostate, or surrounding structures may involve this space. Its boundaries and contents can vary with individual anatomy and pathological states.

Retzius lines: The lines of Retzius are incremental growth lines seen in tooth enamel and dentin. They reflect periodic deposition of dental tissues during development and can be used in dental anthropology and forensic odontology to study tooth formation times and growth patterns. The term also appears in discussions of dental histology and developmental biology.

The name Retzius, associated with these terms, has broader usage in historical scientific literature. In addition to the two prominent figures, the surname may refer to other individuals who contributed to science and medicine.