[From meridians and acupoints to self-supervision and control system: a hypothesis of the 10th functional system based on anatomical studies of digitized virtual human].
Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion has been widely accepted as a useful therapeutics all over the world, but its mechanism has not been fully defined. For this purpose, a reticular framework of whole-body fascia and connective tissues has been established by means of digitized virtual human technique. The virtual acupoints represented three-dimensionally were compared with the sites for stimulation in practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy. The results showed that the fascial network constituted by the connective tissues may be the anatomical basis for acupuncture therapy. We found that the acupoints were mainly located where thick connective tissues were present. In this fascial network, sensitive nerve endings, active cells and lymphatic vessels abounded in the sites with thick connective tissue, and needling at these sites induced definite biological effects. In light of biological phylogeny and embryo development, we believe that the connective tissue network may constitute a new functional system in the human body, the Self-supervision and control system (Fasciology), which provides a theoretical base for acupuncture therapy.
Wang
Jun
J
Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. whmzyq@fimmu.com
Dong
Wei-ren
WR
Wang
Chun-lei
CL
Yao
Da-wei
DW
Zhao
Bing-lei
BL
Shen
Bao-lin
BL
Yang
Lin-lin
LL
Yuan
Lin
L
D026881:Acupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D016740:Meridians; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008959:Models, Neurological