From the Anatomical Discovery of Meridians and Collaterals to Fasciaology Theory

Abstract

See, stats, and : https : / / www . researchgate . net / publication / 226874829 From and Chapter DOI : 10 . 1007 / 978 - 1 - 4614 - 0601 - 3_41 CITATIONS 0 READS 160 14 , including : Some : 120050 Lin Southern 48 SEE Dai Southern 29 SEE Ou Shenzhen 30 SEE David The 147 , 224 SEE All . The . Abstract The theory of meridians and collaterals is the basis of acupuncture in the traditional Chinese medicine ; however , their anatomical existence is still unknown . The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical basis of acupoints and meridians . Based on the digital datasets of Virtual Chinese human (VCH) bodies , 3 - dimensional (3D) structures of virtual meridians and fascia connective tissue - gath - ering areas were constructed , and they were compared with each other . The shortest distances between virtual acupoints and constructed fascia connective tissues were measured . 3D structures of fascia connective tissue - gathering areas were also con - structed based on CT and MRI images of living human bodies , and also compared with meridians . 3D structures of fascia connective tissue - gathering areas in the VCH bodies showed a pattern of beads - on - strings . Furthermore , the distances between the fascia strings and virtual meridians were close . More fascia connective tissue areas were constructed , more string - like structures were found . When 3D structures of all fascia connective tissues through over the body were constructed , a body - shaped con - nective tissue network appeared . 3D structures of fascia connective tissue - gathering areas constructed from both CT and MRI images also appeared beads - on - string pat - terns and colocalized with traditional Chinese meridians . The fascia network all over the body is the anatomical basis of acupoints and meridians in the traditional Chinese medicine . The histological composition of Meridian is the nonspecifi c connective tis - sue (including loose connective tissue and fat tissue) . Therefore , we put forward a new approach for division of anatomical discipline . According to this method , the human body consists of two major systems : one is the supporting and storing system and the other is the functional system . The anatomical discipline which based is on this divi - sion method is named fascial anatomy . The discipline which studies the supporting and storing system and the mutual relationship between this system and the functional system , the latter is made of differentiated cells , is named fasciaology .