Sherlock, Sheila

British physician (1918-2001) who pioneered the study of the liver (hepatology).

She made liver biopsy a routine clinical tool and, with its help, developed the current classification of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

She applied vascular catheterization, imaging, and pressure measurements to the liver to investigate the portal circulation (the blood flow to and from the liver).

Dame Sherlock 'brought together clinical observation, clinical investigation, and laboratory science in a virtually unexplored field.