Neuroembryology of the Acupuncture Principal Meridians: Part 1. The Extremities

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

There is accumulating evidence from anatomical, physiologic, and neuroimaging research that demonstrate Classical acupuncture points stimulate nerve trunks or their branches in the head, trunk, and extremities.

Objective:

The aim of this research is to present novel graphic evidence that the embryologic development of the human nervous system in the extremities provides evidence that the distributions of the acupuncture Principal meridians correspond closely to those of the major nerves of the arms and legs, suggesting that the Principal meridians are representations of the human peripheral nervous system in those places.

Materials and Methods:

Using Adobe Photoshop software, anterior and posterior perspective diagrams of the adult human dermatomal patterns were modified to position the upper and lower extremities into their embryonic positions at 6 weeks' postconception. Dermatomes, major peripheral nerves, limb acupuncture points, and extremity Principal meridians were applied as separate graphic layers to this model using the anatomy texts of Netter and Clemente as anatomical references and the Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine text as the principal acupuncture reference to allow the relationships of these structures to be examined. Acupuncture cross-sectional anatomy references (Primal and Chen) were used for further confirmation of the findings.

Results:

The distributions of the acupuncture Principal meridians and their Classical acupoints in the extremities corresponded closely to those of the major nerves in these places.

Conclusions:

The marked similarities of the distributions of the Principal meridians and the peripheral nerves in the extremities advance the anatomical and physiologic evidence that acupuncture's clinical effects arise from nerve stimulation at Classical acupuncture points.