THE STORY OF THE INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY OF MAMMALS - FROM GALEN TO SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME

Some anatomical aspects of the blood supply of the brains of mammals h ave been examined to illuminate their functions. A fundamental explana tion of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death) is suggested followin g experimental(1) observations. Speculative contributions have been ma de to comparative physiological ideas concerning mammals of pronograde and erect habitus, their vascular pressure adaptations and temperatur e management. Neuro- and interventional radiologists may make some sig nificant future applications of these ideas. Of immediate practical in terest is the possibility of influencing the well-being of human embry os' neural tube development in utero by a comprehensive study of their temperature environment.