Contribution of Unani Physicians in Tashrīḥ al-Raḥim (Anatomy of the Uterus): A Systematic Review

Abstract

The Unani System of Medicine pioneered in Greece and was developed by Arabs into an elaborate medical science based on the frame work of the teaching of Buqrāṭ (Hippocrates) and Jālīnūs (Galen). Since that time Unani Medicine has been known as Grek-o-Arab Medicine. Tashrīḥ-al-badan (Anatomy) is one of the oldest basic sciences. In Alexandria (1st recorded school of anatomy) where the renowned anatomical teachers Herophilus and Erasistratus dissected the human body and described many of its structures. Herophilus (335-280 B.C.) and Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) were the earliest who emphasized about the knowledge of human anatomy and laid the foundation of the subject, Tashrīḥ-al-badan (Anatomy). Galen's description of the "one-sex model" depicted the female and male reproductive organs as homologous anatomical structures, with differences only in location, size, and complexity. Woman is given prime importance in our classics since ancient times as it is the root cause for progeny. This paper enlightens the admirable work done by Unani physicians, who compiled their observations and research work about Tashrīḥ al-Raḥim (anatomy of uterus) which is present in our ancient Unani literature. To compile the contribution of Unani physicians in anatomy of uterus we search and collect the material from Unani classical reference books Al-Qānūn fi’l Ṭibb, Kāmil al-Ṣanā‘a al-Ṭibbiyya, Al-Manṣūrī fi’l Ṭibb, Modern books, Journal, Research Paper, and Online resources etc.