Human Anatomy

Marma

The word marma (vital area) is described in the Hindu scripture Atharva Veda. During the vedic period knowledge of the vital areas of the human body was important part of military science. This knowledge was applied in war, medicine, and surgery. Science of marma was developed by the physician and surgeons of vedic period to prevent death, treat people suffering from trauma and to attack the enemy.

With the advancement and progres of modern surgery and medicine, it has become an essential part of the duty of an ayurvedic physician to explore the non-clinical and clinical value of these vital areas.

A marma, defined as an anatomical area where arteries, tendons, flesh, veins, bones and joints meet to form the location of life. It has a secret and significant valves at these junctinos. The anatomical areas where structures pulsate and where pain exists can be nemed as MARMA.

Sushruta classified these marmas on the basis of their location in the body, dimension, and the effect of injuries. Physicians and surgeons in ancient time used the knowledge to heal . In all they classified 107 marmas.

Marmas are classified into three sections…

• Stuctural
• Regional, and
• Prognostic

Structural marmas –

This classification, according to human physiology, includes

• Mucles – 11
• Blood vessels (veins and arteries) – 41
• Ligaments (tendons) – 27
• Bones – 8
• Vulnerable areas – 20

Regional marmas –

In the regional classification, the marmas are divided according to the organs and sections of the body. This includes

• Upper limbs – 22
• Lower limbs – 22
• Abdomen and thorax – 12
• Back of the trunk – 14
• Head and neck – 37

Prognostic marmas –

Any symptom from which one can diagnose diseases is called prognosis. The marmas in this category are classfied according to the effects of injuries on these marmas. They include

• Slow death – 33
• Disability – 44
• Pain – 8

Some of the important marmas –

Muscle marma:

The living organism has capability to react to stimulation due to electrical, chemical, pathogenic or mechanical stimuli. The human being can make the most appropriate, effective response when the system is working in good condition and alertness. At the site of the mechanical response, the action gets expelled out. The muscle also prossess the power to contract. Muscles with bones and their innervation by ligaments (tendons) or nerves and blood vessels (veins and arteries) transforms them into the most effective system, capable of protecting the body from external trauma or injuries, this may include defence and contration as and when required.

Vaishalyaghna Marma:

A marma where person doesn’t die on the spot. Just as in sthapani marma exactly between eyebrows, if an arrow strikes a person at this marma, he will not die suddenly because contact is maintained with the marma by the arrow. When an arrow is removed, the contact is lost and the person will die. These marmas are 3 in number.

Blood vessel marma:

Blood vessels, means veins and arteries. they are distributed throughout the body. These form a network which is subdivided into tiny vessels. If any of these blood vessle is torn, punctured, or injured at a vital site or area, the nutrition to that vital part is restricted, ultimately leading to loss of function, pain and sometimes even death generally called as nacrosis.

Bone marma:

Bone is an vital part of the anatomy. Injuries and diseases of bones are considered under orthopedic Traumatology. The effect of injury to a bone depends upon the mechanical or physical force of impact.

Ligament marma/Tendon marma:

The ligaments prevents abnormal movements at a joint though some of the tendons are better protected by muscles than others. For example, the collateral tendons of the knee and inferior tibiofibular tendons are poorly protected. Injury or truma to such tendons can cause permanent damage or lead to a sprain due to the rupture of ligament.

Joint marma:

These are also named as Sandhi marma (joint means sandhi in sanskrit). The joints are important part of the body. When these are hit with great impact, the loss of fuction like moving, carrying and lifting capacity goes off.

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