[Institutional establishment of pathologic anatomy in the 19th century at universities in Germany, German-speaking Switzerland and Austria].

The institutionalization of an academic discipline in the university system is a complex process influenced by several intra- and extrascientific, personal and economic factors. Starting with pathological anatomy at the beginning of the 19th century, we analysed its development from a subsidiary to a fully established discipline. We ascertained different stages of institutionalization:lectureship, associate chair, chair, institute. At each stage we found supporting as well as hindering factors. It could be shown that the structure of the German academic system was especially conductive to the establishment of the new discipline.