Historical terminology
Medical classification of higher nervous activity types still uses historical Ancient Greek and Latin terminology. The names of temperaments were originally based on the concept of the predominance of certain biological fluids in the human body:
- Choleric temperament — derives from the Ancient Greek word chole, which translates as "bile".
- Phlegmatic temperament — originates from the Ancient Greek phlegma, meaning "mucus" or "phlegm".
- Sanguine type — has Latin roots, originating from the word sanguis (blood).
- Melancholic type — formed by the combination of two Ancient Greek roots: melas (black) and chole (bile).
I.P. Pavlov's classification
The physiological basis of modern concepts of temperament was established in I.P. Pavlov's classification. This system is based on a detailed assessment of processes occurring in the central nervous system (CNS). The main criteria for distinguishing types are the strength of excitation and inhibition processes, as well as their ratio.
According to I.P. Pavlov's classification, there are four types of higher nervous activity:
- Choleric — defined as a strong, but completely unrestrained type.
- Phlegmatic — represents a strong, balanced, yet inert (slow) type.
- Sanguine — characterized as a strong, balanced, and mobile (fast) type.
- Melancholic — classified exclusively as a weak type of higher nervous activity.
Practical application in medicine
For a clinician, assessing the type of higher nervous activity is not an abstract concept. It is strictly necessary for the timely identification of the psychosomatic component in a patient.
Psychosomatics plays a crucial role in the mechanisms of development (pathogenesis) of a number of pathological conditions. Assessing the regulatory role of the nervous and endocrine systems, which are directly related to the temperament type, helps understand the nature of functional disorders. Typical examples of diseases with a pronounced psychosomatic component include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome;
- Biliary dyskinesia;
- Vegetovascular dystonia.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
Who is the author of the historical humoral theory of temperaments?
The authors of the historical humoral theory of temperaments are Hippocrates and Galen.
This theory defines temperament by the predominance of one of four fluids:
- Blood (sanguis) — sanguine type.
- Light bile (chole) — choleric type.
- Black bile (melanchole) — melancholic type.
- Mucus (phlegma) — phlegmatic type.
For quick memorization of I.P. Pavlov's classification, associate the types with CNS processes: Melancholic is the only "weak" type. Choleric is strong, but "unrestrained" (lacks balance). Sanguine and phlegmatic are both strong and balanced, but differ in speed (sanguine is fast, phlegmatic is slow).
Class and exam questions
What is I.P. Pavlov's classification of temperaments based on?
It is based on assessing processes in the central nervous system: the strength of excitation and inhibition, as well as their ratio.
Why does a doctor need to assess a patient's type of higher nervous activity?
This is necessary to identify the psychosomatic component, which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of a number of internal diseases.
In which diseases does psychosomatics play a key role in pathogenesis?
Classic examples of such diseases are vegetovascular dystonia, irritable bowel syndrome, and biliary dyskinesia.
What else to study on this topic
- Assessment of the regulatory role of the endocrine system in the formation of temperament
- Ratio of excitation and inhibition processes in the CNS: physiological mechanisms
- Pathogenesis of the psychosomatic component in vegetovascular dystonia
- Influence of the type of higher nervous activity on the course of irritable bowel syndrome
- Biliary dyskinesia as a consequence of autonomic regulation imbalance
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