Johann Christian Rosenmüller (1771-1820): A Historical Perspective on the Man behind the Fossa

Introduction The fossa of Rosenmuller, also known as the lateral pharyngeal recess, is a well-established site of origin of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is located in the lateral pharyngeal wall behind the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube, the torus tubarius, and is named after Johann Christian Rosenmuller (JCR). Objective We present a history on the life and extensive works of Johann Christian Rosenmuller, a German physician and anatomist. Results Johann Christian Rosenmuller was a dedicated anatomist. In addition to identifying the fossa of Rosenmuller, his influence extends to various other anatomic subjects, including the Rosenmuller gland, the palpebral portion of the lacrimal gland, and the organ of Rosenmuller (i.e., the caudal remnant of the mesonephric duct). He was also an avid speleologist, studying the composition of caves and their life forms. For his contributions to this field, he had a cave in Germany and an extinct species named after him—Rosenmullerhohle and Ursus spelaeus Rosenmuller, respectively. Conclusion The fossa of Rosenmuller plays an important role in the growth and surgical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We present a brief glimpse into the life of Johann Christian Rosenmuller, for whom it was named.