REGIONAL ANATOMY OF SHIRO GREEVA (HEAD & NECK) AS PER SUSRUTHA SAMHITA

Dr. Gaurav Soni*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Susrutha, being a pioneer surgeon, has a great sense of regional & surgical anatomy of the human body; and same is depicted in his textual venture i.e. Susrutha Samhita. Shaira Sthana remains the core of anatomical knowledge but Susrutha does not illustrate further chapters on the basis of regional anatomy but instead, he described arbitrarily. Shira is the most important part of the body as signified by term “Uttamanga” by Charaka. Aim: Regional anatomical descriptions are present throughout the Susrutha Samhita but an effort is to be taken to convert scattered descriptions of Acharya Susrutha in terms of contemporary Regional anatomy. Material & Method: Susrutha Samhita & its commentaries and relevant contemporary literature were critically reviewed to dig out the hidden core of regional anatomy of the head & neck region. Result: This study clearly depicts that great sense of regional division as well as the structure was there from ancient time and will be a great help for Ayurveda Scholars. Discussion: Description starting from Six regional divisions to the position, location, measurement, Asthi, Sandhi, Peshi, Sira, Avedhya Sira, Dhamani, and Marma; has been elaborated in Susrutha Samhita. A vivid description of structures related to Head and Neck is described in the text but not in a Chapter but wherever needed.

Keywords: Regional Anatomy, Shira, Head & Neck, Susruta Samhita.