Meridians In Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Articles

The correlation between meridians and face diagnosis —two case reports

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between facial diagnosis and the twelve meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for potential clinical diagnostic applications. Using a stationary camera, facial images were captured and compiled into a comprehensive database, along with participants' medical histories obtained through questionnaires. The results indicated that irregular patterns on participants' faces corresponded to specific meridians, revealing potential organ-related conditions. These findings suggest a correlation between facial reflex zones and the twelve meridians, highlighting the diagnostic potential of this method for identifying early signs of clinical conditions.

Discovering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Formulas for Complex Diseases Based on a Combination of Reverse Systematic Pharmacology and TCM Meridian Tropism Theory: Taking COVID-19 as an Example.

Infections and death have been a part of our daily lives since the COVID-2019 pandemic outbreak in 2019, and the societal and economic consequences have lingered for an unanticipated duration. Novel and effective treatments are still desperately needed around the world to combat the infection. Here, we discovered a novel traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) to potentially combat COVID-19 through reverse systematic pharmacology (disease → targets → TCMF → disease). Combining Integrative network pharmacology and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, a TCMF for COVID-19 was identified. In silico physiological interactions between herbs and disease hub targets were validated by molecular docking and dynamics simulation. Based on disease-related gene/pathway targets and a combination of reverse pharmacology and TCM meridian tropism theory, a COVID-19-associated herb database was constructed. A new TCMF, including Gancao, Baitouweng, Congbai, and Diyu (GBCD), was discovered for anti-COVID-19 therapy. The KEGG and GO analyses of 49 intersecting genes suggested that GBCD could combat COVID-19 through antiviral, antiinflammation, immunoregulation, and cytoprotection activities. Moreover, these possible effects were validated through docking and MD simulation. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to combine reverse pharmacology and meridian tropism theories for TCMF development, and a novel herbal combination, GBCD, was discovered for anti-COVID-19 therapy.

Correlation Between Ion Contents in Acupuncture Points and Propagated Sensation Along Channels

Background: Propagated sensation along channels occurs because of stimulations during acupuncture therapies and tends to transmit the stimulating signals along the meridians. From the Western medicine aspect, researchers consider the phenomena as neurotransmissions initiated by nerves, and various ions regulate the physiological functions of the nervous systems. Objective: This research investigates the critical characteristics of ions at acupoints and the mechanism of propagated sensation along channels, crossing meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods: This research first conducts experiments by applying intense pulse light beams, which replace the traditional acupuncture treatments, on designated acupoints of studied human subjects, and employs a thermal infrared imager to monitor the temperature responses, which are induced by post sensation, in adjacent regions of the acupoints. Meanwhile, the research applies a synchrotron radiation technique on adult SD (Sprague Dawley) rats. The study analyzes the output responses with an X-ray Absorption Fine Spectroscopy (XAFS) to investigate the ion distributions in the relevant acupoints, which trigger the propagated sensation crossing meridians. Results: Experimental results demonstrate significant temperature increases simultaneously at the stimulated acupoints and specific other acupoints, whether in the same meridians. Moreover, XAFS experimental results indicate significantly high calcium, potassium, and sulfide ions at the stimulated acupoint regions. On the contrary, the measured chloride ions level at the regions is correspondingly lower. Conclusions: The thermal infrared imager monitoring shows significant temperature variations of crossing-meridian acupoints after implementing the intense pulse light beams on designated acupoints, and it implies the occurring of prolonged sensation along channels using acupuncture therapies. The X-ray absorption spectrum demonstrates significant differences in ion amounts and distributions between the acupoints and non-acupoints, and acupuncture therapies result in ion concentrations in the correlated regions inducing propagated sensation crossing meridians in TCM. Hence, the stimulated acupoints operate as ion reservoirs to provide high-concentration of specific ions to trigger the crossing-meridian post sensation.

МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ СУБСТРАТ ТОЧЕК ИГЛОУКАЛЫВАНИЯ И СИСТЕМЫ МЕРИДИАНОВ КИТАЙСКОЙ ТРАДИЦИОННОЙ МЕДИЦИНЫ

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.

Discovery of Meridian Entities and the Third Regulatory Framework

Human diseases are the result of neuromodulation and humoral regulation disorders. However, the Chinese people have carried out acupuncture experiments on the body for thousands of years, and their curative effects have convinced them that the meridians and acupoint structure based on acupuncture and moxibustion is not a simple mechanism of nerve conduction and humoral regulation. This study adopts Xu's pulse diagnosis Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance technology. According to Lingshu · the pulse on the skin surface of the whole body was perceived. Pulse diagnosis found that there were longitudinal and transverse pulsating thin lines on the body surface. Then through the meridian pen to test the vertical and horizontal conduction path, acupuncture to verify the clinical effect, and local anatomy to confirm the existence of meridian and acupoint entities in the human body. Finally, it is determined that there are 31 pairs of transverse meridians and 13 pairs of longitudinal meridians in human epidermis and dermis. It is highly consistent with the meridian path of the twelve meridians, the odd meridians and the eight meridians of traditional Chinese medicine, and the position of acupoints is also highly consistent. According to the new development of skin anatomy, this paper expounds the physiological and pathological regulation mechanism of meridian structure, and determines that there is an artificial external regulation system based on vertical and horizontal meridian structure in human body.

Effect of Self Made Buqi Ziyin Recipe Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing on the Prognosis Recovery of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer after Operation

To explore the effect of self made Buqi Ziyin formula combined with traditional Chinese medicine nursing on the prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after operation. 174 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2020 were randomly divided into observation group and control group, 87 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with levothyroxine sodium tablets, 50~100 μg/time once a d, while the patients in the observation group were additionally treated with self made Buqi Ziyin prescription, one dose a day, decoction in morning and evening 200 ml each time. Both groups were treated for 2 mo. The control group adopted the routine nursing plan of our hospital, while the observation group added the traditional Chinese medicine meridian massage nursing on the basis of the control group. The immune function, thyroid hormone level, psychological state and treatment effect of the two groups before and after treatment were compared and analyzed. There was no significant difference in the levels of free triiodiothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone between the two groups before treatment (p>0.05), which was comparable; after treatment, the levels of free triiodiothyronine and free thyroxine in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group and the level of thyroid stimulating hormone in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group after treatment, the percentage of cluster of differentiation 3+ and cluster of differentiation 4+ in the observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment (p 0.05); after treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p 0.05). The self made Buqi Ziyin formula combined with traditional Chinese medicine nursing can effectively improve the postoperative recovery speed and quality of life of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, reduce the probability of disease recurrence, enhance the body’s immune ability and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

A discovery of low hydraulic resistance channels along meridians in rats: 大鼠循经低流阻通道的发现

BackgroundContinuous and porous low hydraulic resistance channels (LHRCs) are important structures of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, based on the previous research on LHRCs along meridian paths (LHRCMs)in mini-pig, we aimed to detect the low hydraulic resistance point (LHRP) and display the LHRCMs in rats. MethodsA technique for measuring interstitial hydraulic resistance (Rh) in rats was established to detect and measure the Rh along the conception vessel (CV) in TCM, and Alcian Blue (AB) solution was injected into the LHRP along the CV. The interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) of the LHRP was measured before and after AB injection. Then, the distribution characteristics of the AB solution were investigated to explore the relationship between AB tracks and meridian paths in TCM. ResultsThe positions of the LHRPs coincided with the low impedance points (LIPs) of the rat skin along the CV. The Rh value along the CV (10.37±1.26, × 106 dyne s cm−5) was significantly lower than that in the non-meridian area (19.13±1.37, × 106 dyne s cm−5, P<0.01). After AB injection, the IFP of the LHRP was 2.52 mmHg, which was higher than that before AB injection. The AB tracks (ABT) along the CV, spleen meridian, and kidney meridian appeared in one or two directions, with single or multiple paths and uneven thickness and length. The appearance rate was 73.33%. ConclusionsLHRCMs existed not only in minipigs but also in rats. The LHRCMs could be observed after AB injection into the LHRP in the subcutaneous connective tissues of rats.

Display of low hydraulic resistance channels along Conception Vessel by in vivo fluorography in rats

To display the low hydraulic resistance channel along the running course of the Conception Vessel (CV) by using in vivo fluorography, so as to provide evidence for the existence of meridians of traditional Chinese medicine from the aspect of interstitial fluid channel. A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely CV-low impedance spots (CV-LIS), CV-low hydraulic resistance points (CV-LHRP) and non-meridian points (NMP) groups (n＝8 in each group). The CV-LIS (the imaged line between the xiphoid process and symphysis pubis), CV-LHRP (lateral and parallel to LIS) and NMP (lateral and parallel to CV-LHRP) were detected by using meridian detector and biofluid resistance meter, respectively. Sodium fluorescein solution (1%) was injected into the spot (A-spot, upper 1/5 of the CV-LIS), and one of the NMP (about 1 cm lateral and parallel to the A-spot, and the mid-point between the Kidney and Stomach meridian running courses) by using a microsyringe for observing the migration trace of sodium fluorescein. After injection of fluorescein, the migration trace of fluorescein appeared along the CV-LIS and CV-LHRP lines, and only local diffusion was found in the NMP group. The migration trace lengths along the CV-LIS and CV-LHRP were significantly longer than that of the NMP group (P<0.01), and the migration width of CV-LIS and CV-LHRP groups was significantly smaller than that of the NMP group (P<0.01). The migration speed of CV-LIS and CV-LHRP groups was significantly higher than that of the NMP group (P<0.01). Fluorography is able to be used to display the running course of CV, possibly supporting the existence of meridians from the interstitial fluid channel and providing a new method for visualization of meridians.

Predicting Meridian in Chinese traditional medicine using machine learning approaches.

Plant-derived nature products, known as herb formulas, have been commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for disease prevention and treatment. The herbs have been traditionally classified into different categories according to the TCM Organ systems known as Meridians. Despite the increasing knowledge on the active components of the herbs, the rationale of Meridian classification remains poorly understood. In this study, we took a machine learning approach to explore the classification of Meridian. We determined the molecule features for 646 herbs and their active components including structure-based fingerprints and ADME properties (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), and found that the Meridian can be predicted by machine learning approaches with a top accuracy of 0.83. We also identified the top compound features that were important for the Meridian prediction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that molecular properties of the herb compounds are associated with the TCM Meridians. Taken together, the machine learning approach may provide novel insights for the understanding of molecular evidence of Meridians in TCM.

Observation on the effect of traditional Chinese medicine meridian manipulation combined with traditional Chinese medicine foot massage on sleep disturbance in patients with lung cancer after operation

Objective To investigate the effect of traditional Chinese medicine meridian manipulation combined with traditional Chinese medicine foot massage on sleep disturbance in patients with lung cancer after operation. Methods A total of 120 patients with sleep disorders after lung cancer surgery admitted to the hospital from February 2015 to August 2017 were selected.They were randomly divided into research group and control group, 60 cases of each group.The patients in the control group were treated with Chinese medicine foot massage.The patients in the research group were treated with Chinese medicine meridian exercise on the basis of the methods of the patients in the control group.The quality of life, Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS) score and Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS) score of the two groups were compared 24 hours after the operation and 7 days after the intervention.The sleep quality of the patients was compared 24 hours after the operation, on day 1, day 3 and day 7 after the intervention. Results The quality of life of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SDS and SAS scores between the two groups at 24 hours after operation.The scores of SDS and SAS of patients in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group on the 7th day of intervention, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in sleep quality between the two groups on day 1 after 24 hours of intervention.The sleep quality level of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group on the 3rd and 7th day of intervention, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine meridian manipulation combined with traditional Chinese medicine foot message can effectively improve the sleep quality of patients after lung cancer surgery, reduce the depression of patients in the process of treatment, as well as improve the efficiency of treatment, reduce the patient's condition. Key words: Meridian operation; Traditional Chinese medicine foot bath; Lung cancer; Sleep disorder

The Primo Vascular System as a Possible Exosomal Route Across the Body: Implications for Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis

This literature study article will present the possibility of a correlation between the energy meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which can be traced back to the recently described primo vessels (formerly known as Bong-Han ducts), their composition, and the ability of tumors to proliferate and metastasize. It is proposed that microvesicular bodies such as exosomes, known to be involved in cell-to-cell communication, immune response, and tumor proliferation, could be moving across the body via the primo vascular system. The ubiquity of the primo vascular system and its penetration through the blood–brain barrier could also explain the ability of some peripheral tumors (e.g., breast tumor) to metastasize in the brain.

Treatment of Eye Diseases in the Hippocratic Era

For the treatment of eye diseases, Hippocrates described the application of ointments, administration of herbs, implementation of surgical interventions and the use of phlebotomy and cauterization along the “ancient vessels”.The Hippocratic use of bleeding and cauterization as a medical treatment has significant similarities to traditional Chinese medicine. The “ancient vessels” described by Hippocrates are not related to human anatomy, but are similar to the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. The points chosen for cautery are similar to those described in ancient Chinese texts. The treatment of ophthalmic diseases with phlebotomy and cauterization during the Hippocratic period can undoubtedly be considered as alternative medicine.

Acupuncture to improve tolerance of diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients without systemic sedation: results of a single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (DRKS00000164).

BackgroundSedation prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy is widespread and increases patient comfort. However, it demands additional trained personnel, accounts for up to 40 % of total endoscopy costs and impedes rapid hospital discharge. Most patients lose at least one day of work. 98 % of all serious adverse events occurring during esophagogastroduodenoscopy are ascribed to sedation. Acupuncture is reported to be effective as a supportive intervention for gastrointestinal endoscopy, similar to conventional premedication. We investigated whether acupuncture during elective diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy could increase the comfort of patients refusing systemic sedation.MethodsWe performed a single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled superiority trial to compare the success rates of elective diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopies using real and placebo acupuncture. All patients aged 18 years or older scheduled for elective, diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy who refused systemic sedation were eligible; 354 patients were randomized. The primary endpoint measure was the rate of successful esophagogastroduodenoscopies. The intervention was real or placebo acupuncture before and during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Successful esophagogastroduodenoscopy was based on a composite score of patient satisfaction with the procedure on a Likert scale as well as quality of examination, as assessed by the examiner.ResultsFrom February 2010 to July 2012, 678 patients were screened; 354 were included in the study. Baseline characteristics of the two groups showed a similar distribution in all but one parameter: more current smokers were allocated to the placebo group. The intention-to-treat analysis included 177 randomized patients in each group. Endoscopy could successfully be performed in 130 patients (73.5 %) in the real acupuncture group and 129 patients (72.9 %) in the placebo group. Willingness to repeat the procedure under the same conditions was 86.9 % in the real acupuncture group and 87.6 % in the placebo acupuncture group.ConclusionsEsophagogastroduodenoscopy without sedation is safe and can successfully be performed in two-thirds of patients. Patients planned for elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy without sedation do not benefit from acupuncture of the Sinarteria respondens (Rs) 24 Chengjiang middle line, Pericard (Pc) 6 Neiguan bilateral, or Dickdarm (IC) 4 Hegu bilateral, according to traditional Chinese medicine meridian theory.Trial registrationDRKS00000164. Registered on 10 December 2009.

Fascia and Primo Vascular System.

The anatomical basis for the concept of acupuncture points/meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been resolved. This paper reviews the fascia research progress and the relationship among acupuncture points/meridians, primo vascular system (PVS), and fascia. Fascia is as a covering, with common origins of layers of the fascial system despite diverse names for individual parts. Fascia assists gliding and fluid flow and holds memory and is highly innervated. Fascia is intimately involved with nourishment of all cells of the body, including those of disease and cancer. The human body's fascia network may be the physical substrate represented by the meridians of TCM. The PVS is a newly found circulatory system; recent increased interest has led to new research and new discoveries in the anatomical and functional aspects of the PVS. The fasciology theory provides new insights into the physiological effects of acupuncture needling on basic cellular mechanisms including connective tissue mechanotransduction and regeneration. This view represents a theoretical basis and means for applying modern biomedical research to examining TCM principles and therapies, and it favors a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Accumulated mental stress study using the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine with photoplethysmography.

To investigate accumulated mental stress according to the concept of the meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This stress was quantified by using pulse spectrum analysis of finger-tip photoplethysmography (PPG). Stress accumulation is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease and depression in humans, resulting in chronic physiologic malfunctions; however, few studies have thoroughly assessed the quantitative evaluation of accumulative stress using the concept of TCM. This study investigated accumulated mental stress from the perspective of TCM based on an 8-day experiment. The theory of organ resonance was integrated into the proposed PPG sensing instrument to capture the nine harmonics of TCM. Participants were given daily mental arithmetic tasks over 1 week to simulate stress accumulation, and trends in the proportion of the nine harmonics of TCM were extracted over several days and analyzed to identify the affective factors related to cumulative stress. The experimental results showed that the kidney harmonic proportion (C2) and stomach harmonic proportion (C5) were significant only on the first few days because of a physiologic phenomenon of temporary stimulation. Most important, the trend of the liver harmonic proportion (C1) from days 3 to 8 dramatically increased and became gradually saturated because of the influence of accumulated mental stress. The results strongly suggest that pulse spectrum analysis of the PPG signal provides physiologically and pathologically important information on accumulated mental stress and can be useful for TCM analysis.

Two‐system Theory and Fasciology

ObjectiveIn light of developmental biology of the fascia‐like connective tissue, the fascia network is homologous with the extracellular matrix, the middle lamella, and the mesenchyme, which common function is to sustain stability of the internal environment. Therefore, we proposed a new theory of two systems, supporting‐storing system and functional system, to investigate the relationship between the fascial network and meridians.MethodsBased on the digital datasets of Virtual Chinese human (VCH) bodies, 3‐dimensional (3‐D) structures of virtual meridians and fascia connective tissue gathering areas were constructed and compared with each other. Three‐D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas were also constructed based on CT and MRI images of living human subjects, and compared with meridians.ResultsThree‐D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas in the VCH bodies, CT and MRI images showed beads‐on‐string patterns. The reconstructed fascial lines co‐localized precisely with the traditional meridian lines. When 3‐D structures of all fascia connective tissues throughout the body were constructed, a body‐shaped connective tissue network appeared.ConclusionsThe fascial network throughout the human body is one of the anatomical bases for the acupoints and meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. The discipline that studies the supporting‐storing system and the functional system and their mutual relationship is called fasciology.Grant Funding Source : National basic research programm (973 programm grant number:2007CB512705)

Super-Conducting Liquid Crystalline Water Aligned with Collagen Fibres in the Fascia as Acupuncture Meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine

New evidence indicates that hydrogen is quantum delocalized between neighboring water molecules even in the liquid state, predisposing water to proton conduction, especially in confined nanospaces; water nanotubes aligned by collagen fibers fulfill all the criteria for proton superconduction, making them excellent candidates for the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine, as first proposed 15 years ago.

The evidence for Shiatsu: a systematic review of Shiatsu and acupressure

BackgroundShiatsu, similar to acupressure, uses finger pressure, manipulations and stretches, along Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians. Shiatsu is popular in Europe, but lacks reviews on its evidence-base. MethodsAcupressure and Shiatsu clinical trials were identified using the MeSH term 'acupressure' in: EBM reviews; AMED; BNI; CINAHL; EMBASE; MEDLINE; PsycARTICLES; Science Direct; Blackwell Synergy; Ingenta Select; Wiley Interscience; Index to Theses and ZETOC. References of articles were checked. Inclusion criteria were Shiatsu or acupressure administered manually/bodily, published after January 1990. Two reviewers performed independent study selection and evaluation of study design and reporting, using standardised checklists (CONSORT, TREND, CASP and STRICTA).ResultsSearches identified 1714 publications. Final inclusions were 9 Shiatsu and 71 acupressure studies. A quarter were graded A (highest quality). Shiatsu studies comprised 1 RCT, three controlled non-randomised, one within-subjects, one observational and 3 uncontrolled studies investigating mental and physical health issues. Evidence was of insufficient quantity and quality. Acupressure studies included 2 meta-analyses, 6 systematic reviews and 39 RCTs. Strongest evidence was for pain (particularly dysmenorrhoea, lower back and labour), post-operative nausea and vomiting. Additionally quality evidence found improvements in sleep in institutionalised elderly. Variable/poor quality evidence existed for renal disease symptoms, dementia, stress, anxiety and respiratory conditions. Appraisal tools may be inappropriate for some study designs. Potential biases included focus on UK/USA databases, limited grey literature, and exclusion of qualitative and pre-1989 studies. ConclusionsEvidence is improving in quantity, quality and reporting, but more research is needed, particularly for Shiatsu, where evidence is poor. Acupressure may be beneficial for pain, nausea and vomiting and sleep.

Review of evidence suggesting that the fascia network could be the anatomical basis for acupoints and meridians in the human body.

The anatomical basis for the concept of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been resolved. This paper reviews the evidence supporting a relationship between acupuncture points/meridians and fascia. The reviewed evidence supports the view that the human body's fascia network may be the physical substrate represented by the meridians of TCM. Specifically, this hypothesis is supported by anatomical observations of body scan data demonstrating that the fascia network resembles the theoretical meridian system in salient ways, as well as physiological, histological, and clinical observations. This view represents a theoretical basis and means for applying modern biomedical research to examining TCM principles and therapies, and it favors a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Possible Applications for Fascial Anatomy and Fasciaology in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Research using medical imaging instruments such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging has led to the proposal that the fascial network distributed over the human body is the anatomical basis for the acupoints and meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, we put forward a new theory of anatomy called fascial anatomy. In fascial anatomy, a human body is divided into two major systems. One is the supporting-storing system of unspecialized connective tissues. The other is a functional system. An undifferentiated non-specific connective tissue network, with the participation of the nervous and the immune systems, constitutes the supporting-storing system of the human body. The various differentiated functional cells in the body that are supported and surrounded by the supporting-storing system constitute the functional system. The discipline that studies the supporting-storing system and the mutual relationship between this system and the functional system in a living human body is called fasciaology. The establishment of fascial anatomy and fasciaology opens a new research field in anatomy; consequently, fasciaology will play a significant role in biological medicine and traditional Chinese medical research, as well as future clinical practice.