title: Review of evidence suggesting that the fascia network could be the anatomical basis for acupoints and meridians in the human body.
abstract: The anatomical basis for the concept of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been resolved. This paper reviews the evidence supporting a relationship between acupuncture points/meridians and fascia. The reviewed evidence supports the view that the human body's fascia network may be the physical substrate represented by the meridians of TCM. Specifically, this hypothesis is supported by anatomical observations of body scan data demonstrating that the fascia network resembles the theoretical meridian system in salient ways, as well as physiological, histological, and clinical observations. This view represents a theoretical basis and means for applying modern biomedical research to examining TCM principles and therapies, and it favors a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jin-Peng
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jing-Xing
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Ou
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sha
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tai Wai Yew
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Qiu-Ni
authors.initials: QN
authors.lastname: Liang