malpighian

Malpighian is an epithet used in anatomy and histology to honor Marcello Malpighi, a 17th-century Italian physician and biologist whose microscopic observations laid early foundations for histology and our understanding of tissue structure. The term appears in several anatomical terms across different organ systems, reflecting Malpighi’s influence on early microscopy and descriptive anatomy.

Malpighian tubules are excretory structures found in many insects. These blind-ended tubes originate from the digestive tract and extend into the body cavity, releasing waste products into the gut lumen. They play a major role in osmoregulation and the elimination of nitrogenous wastes, functioning as an externalized detoxification and water balance system for the insect.

Malpighian layer, or stratum Malpighian, refers to a region of the epidermis in vertebrate skin. It comprises the basal and spinous (prickle cell) layers just above the basement membrane. This layer contains actively dividing keratinocytes and is involved in the production of new epidermal cells that replenish the outer protective layers of the skin.

Malpighian bodies are another renal term associated with Malpighi. In older anatomical usage, a Malpighian body denotes a renal corpuscle, consisting of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule. In modern terminology, the term is less common, with glomerulus or renal corpuscle used to describe this structure, though historical texts may still employ Malpighian bodies.