Fundamental Concepts of Anatomy & Physiology inAyurveda

Fundamental Concepts of Anatomy & Physiology

inAyurveda

SHARIRA RACHANA (OVERVIEW OF HUMAN BODY)

Ayurvedic views of Sharira Rachana can be understood by study of important concepts like:

•Abhinirvrutti Sharira - It covers the about development of human body from five fundamental elements of life known as Pacha mahabhutas like elements of universe

•Garbhavkranti Sharira - It covers the developmental anatomy or embryology.

•Angapratyanga Sharira - It covers the study of structures of Shadanga (Six parts of body) like It includes Asthi (osteology), Sandhi Sharira(arthrology), Sira-Dhamani-Srotas-Sharira(angiology), Koshthang Sharira (splanchnology), KalaSharira (anatomy of the different serous membranes),Twak Sharira (anatomy of skin and integument).

•Marma Sharira - Explains about vital parts in body and their importance.

Praman Sharira - Measurements of different parts of the body.

SHADANGA SHARIRA

‘Shad’ means six and “Anga” means part of the body. Ayurveda has classifiedSharira in six body parts namely four limbs, thorax and abdomen which is ‘Madhya’ (middle part of the body) as fifth and head and neck as sixth which is named as ‘Shira’

Shadangas are:

•Shakha (2 upper limbs and 2 Lower limbs) 4

•Madhya (Thorax and Abdomen) 1

•Shira (head and neck) 1

KOSHTHANGA SHARIRA

The word ‘Koshtha’ is from the Sanskrit word ‘Krisha’ which means envelops or covers. The cavity which has the organs in thorax and abdomen is called Koshtha. Like:

Sr. No.	Ayurvedic term	Modern term
1	Annanalika	Oesophagus
2	Saptapatha	Pharynx
3	Swarapetika	Larynx
4	Aamashaya	Stomach
5	Agnyashaya	Pancreas
6	Grahani	Duodenum
7	Kshudrantra	Jejunum
8	Sthulantra	Large Intestine
9	Pakwashaya	Large Intestine
10	Kloma	Pancreas
11	Hridaya	Heart
12	Phupphusa	Lung
13	Yakrit	Liver

ASTHI SHARIRA (OSTEOLOGY)

• Ayurvedic texts explain the number of bones in the body as 300
• It includes cartilages, nails and alveolar socketsas individual bones.
• That’s why number of bones described inayurveda are more than modern medicine.

Types of bones:

Ayurved texts have described 5 types of bones:

• Kapal - These are flat bones e.g. Janu (Patella),Amsa (Scapula), Shira (Skull).
• Ruchaka - All teeth.
• Taruna - These are cartilages e.g. Ghrana (Nasal Septum), Karna (Pinna of ear).
• Valaya - These are rounded in nature e.g. Parshwa(Ribs), Prushtha (Vertebrae)
• Nalak - All long bones e.g. Humerus, Radius, Ulna etc.

SANDHI SHARIRA (ARTHOLOGY)

• Sandhi means joining that is joining of two bones is called sandhi.
• Total number of sandhis are 210.

According to the structure eight type of sandhidescribed in ayurvedic text. Those are:

• Kora - It look like budding flower. Example Anguli(Fingers), Gulpha (Ankle)
• Ulookhala - It look like Mortal (Stone grinder). Example Alveolar socket and teeth
• Samudga - The two bones fit into each other. ExampleNitamba (Lumbo sacral joint)
• Pratara - It look like layered structure. Example inter-vertebral joints
• Tuna sevani - Articular ends of both the bones are fixed in one another. Example Shira (joint of skull bones)
• Vayasa tunda - It looks like a beak of bird that is one portion of a bone enters in the hole like structure of other bone. Example Hanu sandhi (temporo mandibularjoint)

MARMA SHARIRA

vMarma is special concept in the ayurvedicsharira.

vThese are certain locations in the body which are vital. Prana is located in them. These are connections between either of Mamsa, Sira,Snayu, Asthi, Sandhi etc.

vWhen any injury/harm occurs to them, it can cause death, disability, loss of function etc.

vSo, understanding of marma sharira;important for preventive, diagnostic and curative aspect.

vThere are 107 marmas among them three are most vital parts of the body namely Shira,Hridaya and Basti.

TRIDOSHA

There is too much similarity between nature and human body. All the activities in universe or in human body are classified according to three basic functions Creation, Organisation, and Destruction. Like that tridosha are pillars of the body which maintain total functions of body

VATA DOSHA

Vata dosha is supposed to be the most importantdosha, because it is responsible for all external and internal movements and activities of the body

Properties of Vata Dosha: Ruksha (dry); Laghu(light); Sheeta (cold); Khara (rough); Sukshma(subtle/minute); Chala (mobile).

Site of Vata Dosha in Body: Pakwashaya (large intestine); Kati (pelvic cavity); Sakthi (thighs);Shrotra (ear) and Asthidhatu (bones); Saparshendriya(sensory organ for touch/skin).

Functions of Vata Dosha:

vBreathing, Pulsation of heart, Conducts impulses from special sensory organs (gyanendriya) towards motor organs (karmendriya),

vAll higher functions in the brain and spinal cord, Blinkingof eyelids, Movement in muscle, Gastro-intestinal movements, Feelings, emotions, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain, tremors, spasm etc.

vControls the expulsion of faces, urine, sweat, menstrual blood, semen and also foetus

Type of Vata Dosha

•Prana Vayu

•It is responsible for receiving substance like air, water, food and for perception of objects from the outside world through the five sense organs

•Udana Vayu

•It is responsible for expiration. It goes from inside to outside and upward. It performs functions like speech, energy, memory and normal colour and complexion of skin

•Vyana Vayu

•It causes movement of the heart and carries nutritious material to all organs in shadanga sharira. It controls flow of blood and sweat; it is also responsible for movement of body

•Saman Vayu

•Its main action is related to agni. As it increases digestive power. It also helps in all activites of gastro intestinal tract like swallowing, digestion, and absorption ofahara and expulsion of waste products in form of stool.

•Apan Vayu

•Apan vayu is responsible for expulsion of constituents like urine, faeces, menstrual flow, seminal discharge, flatus and expulsion of foetus.

PITTA DOSHA

Pitta doshas is important because all metabolic activity is managed by pitta.

Properties of Pitta Dosha: Sasneha (slightly unctuous), Tikshna (sharp), Ushna (hot), Laghu (light), Visra (unpleasant odour), Sara (having capacity of spreading), Drava (liquid).

Site of Pitta Dosha: Small intestine, nabhi pradesha, stomach, sweat glands, rakta dhatu (blood), rasa dhatu (lymph), eyes and skin.

Functions of Pitta Dosha:

vPitta is responsible for all types of digestion and metabolic activities.

vIt regulates body temperature.

It is also responsible for sensation of hunger, thirst, anger, hate and jealousy, skin colouration, lustre of eyes, intelligence and understanding.

Type of Pitta Dosha

•Pachaka Pitta

It is responsible for the primary conversation and digestion of food in the gastro intestinal tract.

•Ranjaka Pitta

It gives colour to rasa dhatu during the process of formation of rakta dhat

•Bhrajaka Pitta

It responsible for colour of skin, absorption and conversion of oils and ointments applied to the skin through lepa, dhara etc

•Alochaka Pitta

It is responsible for vision, conversion of image that takes place when an object is being seen by the eye.

•Sadhaka Pitta

The capacity to analyse and understand anything is the function of sadhak pitta. After sensing an object, its real and quick understanding is dependent upon a specific conversion by sadhak pitta

KAPHA DOSHA

Kapha dosha is important dosha because it is responsible for creation, stability and protection of body.

Properties of Kapha Dosha: Snighdha, Sheeta, Shlakshna (smooth/frictionless/slimy), Sandra (dense), Sthira (static, stable), Guru (heavy), Manda (slow), Mridu (soft). It is white in colour; sweet in taste.

Site of Kapha Dosha: Ura (chest), Kantha (throat), Shira (head), Kloma, Parva (joints of fingers); Amashaya (stomach), Rasadhatu, Medodhatu, Ghranendriya, Jihva (tongue).

Functions of Kapha Dosha:

vKapha dosha helps in growth of cells and body.

vIt prevents destruction of tissue from wear and tear.

vIt maintains the strength and immunity of the body;

vLubricates joints and provides moisture to skin.

vThe capacity of reproduction, retention of knowledge depends on kapha.

Type of Kapha Dosha

•Avalambaka Kapha

•It protects the lungs and heart. An oily secretion inside and around the organ protects them and maintains their integrity. This is the function performed by kapha dosha.

•Kledaka Kapha

•It protects stomach from irritant particles of food and those of pitta dosha. It also moisturises and mixes the food particles

•Bodhaka Kapha

•It protects the mouth from hot/cold or irritating food particles and responsible for various tastes. It acts in the form of or similarly to saliva.

•Shleshaka Kapha

•It protects the joints from frictions during movement. It acts similarly as synovial fluid

•Tarpaka Kapha

•It povides various nutrients to brain cells and gives lubrication and protection to the brain and spinal cord. It has similar functions of cerebrospinal fluid

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DHATU

• An entity that sustains, grows and nourishes the body is called dhatu. So, it helps in healthy living.
• Dhatus are developed from the nutritious portion of the food taken.
• Dhatuvaha srotas and dhatvagni play important role in this process.

Properties and Functions of Sapta Dhatu along with Updhatu

Dhatu	Properties	Function	Updhatu
Rasa	Drava, Soumya	Prinana (Nutrition)	Stanya, Raja (menstrual discharge)
Rakta	Snigdha, Visra	Jeevana (Through Oxygenation)	Sira, Kandara
Mamsa	Snigdha,Sthira Guru, Sthula	Lepan (binding & covering )	Twacha, Vasa
Meda	Snigdha	Snehana (Lubrication) Sandhibandha	Snayu
Asthi	Ghana (solid), Sthira, Ruksha	Dharana -support	Danta
Majja	Ati Singdha, Picchila (sticky)	Purana (To fill space in bones)	Kesh Roma
Shukra	Singhdha, thick, Madhur, whitish	Garbha utpadana (reproduction)	Oja