Louis Antoine Ranvier was a French anatomist and histologist born on March 18, 1835. He is best known for his work on the structure of nerve fibers, particularly his discovery of the Ranvier nodes, which are gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate the rapid transmission of nerve impulses. His research significantly advanced the understanding of the nervous system. Ranvier also contributed to the field of histology, the study of tissues, by developing techniques for staining and examining microscopic structures. His findings laid the groundwork for future research in both neuroscience and pathology, influencing how scientists study and understand cellular structures and functions.