Chong Acupuncture Meridian, An Ancient Chinese Description of the Vascular System?

Shaw, Vivien

Abstract

The positioning of the acupuncture points in acupuncture is based upon a particular anatomical map known as the jıng luo經絡(meridian network system) which has no obvious correlate in modern anatomy. The generally accepted scholarly opinion is that the ancient Chinese only rarely used dissection in order to explore the anatomy of the human body. However, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing黄帝内經)does describe using palpation to examine the living and dissection, jiepou解剖, to examine the dead. It seems unlikely that the Chinese would have intuited the anatomical descriptions in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic from surface anatomy. Dissection has therefore been used to compare the descriptions in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of the extraordinary meridian, chong mai衝脈(penetrating vessel), with the physical anatomy of the human body. Fifteen acupoints bearing the name chong衝/沖, were also examined to see if they bore any relationship to the meridian. The chong meridian clearly correlates to the main blood vessels in the body. Similarly, most of the chong acupoints have a strong correspondence with blood vessels, in particular marking terminal arteries on the hands, feet and head and anastomoses on the face and feet.The implication of these findings is that, in the case of this particular meridian at least, the ancient Chinese may have intended to pass on specific anatomical knowledge of the physical body rather than solely esoteric knowledge of an invisible pathway for the passage of vital energy. Furthermore,because careful dissection is required to show the vascular structures in the hands, feet and head, the ancient Chinese apparently had a high degree of anatomical skill and acute powers of observation in the practice of dissection.

Citation

Shaw, V. (2013, December). Chong Acupuncture Meridian, An Ancient Chinese Description of the Vascular System?. Presented at Anatomical Society Winter Meeting 2013: Assessment Within Medical Education & Sense Organs, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: Anatomical Society Winter Meeting 2013: Assessment Within Medical Education & Sense Organs
• Start Date: Dec 16, 2013
• End Date: Dec 18, 2013
• Publication Date: May 11, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2021
• Book Title: Journal of Anatomy
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12175
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3858396
• Additional Information: Published as Abstract S35 in Journal of Anatomy Volume 224, Issue 6, June 2014, Pages 739-759.