The juxtaglomerular apparatus of Norbert Goormaghtigh--a critical appraisal

The discovery of the unique structural relationships between the early distal tubule of the nephron and the vascular pole of its originating glomerulus and the subsequent demonstration of the functional and clinical import of this remarkable complex—the juxtaglomerular apparatus—is one of the principal achievements of nephrology. Of the several investigators who made this possible, an immeasurable debt is owed to Norbert Goormaghtigh (1890–1960), who was not only one of its first observers but the only one to persevere in its investigation, to recognize and define the critical relationship of the complex he named the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and in what were clearly prescient insights to foresee correctly many of its functions that were to be documented in the ensuing decades. His discovery, description and deductions of the juxtaglomerular apparatus and its roles are a landmark in the history of medicine. Regrettably, his key part in characterizing and elucidating this distinct apparatus has been confused, oftenmisrepresented,frequentlymisunderstoodandgenerally forgotten.