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Histological Examination of Tissue Isolated from Fascia with a View of Meridian System  

Kim, Dong-Heui (Department of Basic Science, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University)
Deung, Young-Kun (Department of Basic Science, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University)
Chang, Byung-Soo (Department of Cosmetology Graduated School of Health Promotion, Hanseo University)
Jung, Han-Suk (Department of Chiropractic, Graduated School of Health Promotion, Hanseo University)
Jin, Dan (Department of Microbiology, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University)
Kwon, Ki-Rok (Department of Acupuncture, College of Oriental Medicine, Sangji University)
Lee, Kyu-Jae (Department of Parasitology, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University)
Publication Information
Applied Microscopy / v.36, no.3, 2006 , pp. 183-194 More about this Journal
Abstract
The threadlike structures of fascia were examined by tight and electron microscopy. In order to distinguish its tissue organization, we used staining methods including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, Van Gieson's collagen fiber stain and Kluver-Barrera's luxol fast blue for nerve stain. Under the light microscope, the threadlike structures were composed of many collagen fibers and nerve. In higher magnification, they looked like as the bundle of tubular structures. Many myoid cell-spindle nuclei were observed in the tissue, which were taken from the fascia. It was identical with Bonghan duct known as one of meridian network theory. In the early 1960's the North Korean Bong-Han Kim showed the anatomical structures of the acupuncture points, and explained the meridian system as the concrete duct network system. According to Bonghan theory the Bonghan ducts spread throughout the body Because it is believed that the duct could have the role of signal pathway, the theory was reinvestigated in these days. All of the threadlike structures isolated from fascia shows the abundance of collagen fibers. The electron microscope examination (TEM) could confirm the well arranged collagen fiber and nerve. This investigation reveals that superficial Bohghan duct are nerve fiber parallel running with collagen fibers. We conjectured that the intermingled structure of collagen fiber, blood vessel and nerve fiber might have the role of meridian system. And the more, regardless of histological research, the study on collagen fiber as response transmitter in acupuncture treatment are in need.
Keywords
Meridian system; Bonghan duct; Collagen; Fascia; Connective tissue;
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