Literature Reviews

doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2021-23-2-291-299
ANATOMICAL EVIDENCE OF ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND THE MERIDIANS IN CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

F.A. Shukurov1, S.U. LEE1, I.D. Karomatov2

1Department of Normal Physiology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan
2Department of Traditional Medicine and Occupational Diseases, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara. Republic of Uzbekistan

The review summarizes studies related to current issues and concepts of the neuroanatomic basis of the meridian system and acupuncture points. The proponents of their existence have not yet come to any consensus on how they might work or be tested in a scientific context. Kim Bonghan, a professor at Pyongyang Medical University of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, discovered the anatomical structure of meridian collaterals, which he called the Bonghan corpuscles (now known as primo nodes) and the the Bonghan ducts (primo vessels), and called it the Bonghan (Kyungrak) system. In 2010, it was renamed into the primo vascular system (PVS), which exists throughout the organism, including blood and lymph vessels. PVS is an anatomical structure being a network of ducts with fluid flowing in them. This system consists of primo-vessels and primo-nodes, corresponding to acupuncture meridians, and acupuncture points, respectively. Thus, the PVS can serve as a morphological substrate for acupuncture points and meridians of traditional Chinese medicine; however, since there is no scientific consensus on the neuroanatomical basis of acupuncture, further morphological, physiological, and clinical studies are needed to promote a broader mutual understanding of this issue in the research community and beyond.

Keywords: Acupuncture , meridian system, morphological substrate, Bonghan corpuscles, primo vascular system, acupuncture points.

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Author information:


Shukurov Firuz Abdufattoevich
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Full Professor, Professor of the Department of Normal Physiology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University
Scopus ID: 6507747544
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4104-3480
SPIN: 2618-6112
Author ID: 888871
E-mail: fshukurov@yandex.ru

Lee Sang Ung
PhD Student, Department of Normal Physiology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7406-5155
E-mail: аsamardin@mail.ru

Karomatov Inomdzhon Dzhuraevich
Assistant of the Department of Traditional Medicine and Occupational Diseases, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2162-9823
SPIN: 8349-6448
E-mail: inomk65@yandex.com

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The authors did not receive financial support from companies manufacturing medications and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

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Shukurov Firuz Abdufattoevich
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Full Professor, Professor of the Department of Normal Physiology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University

734003, Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Rudaki Ave., 139

Tel.: +992 (907) 903883

E-mail: fshukurov@yandex.ru