• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.90-95
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate if there is significant correlations between the angle of costal arch and digestion, and BMI(Body Mass Index). Methods : To know the correlation between digestion and the angle of costal arch, we hand-measured the angle of costal arch and made questionnaire about digestion. We analysed the data with Pearson product-moment correlation analysis using SPSS 12.0. Results : There is proportional correlation between the angle of costal arch and digestion. Also wider costal arch shows better appetite, faster speed of eating and more quantity of meal. And someone having wider costal arch has less digestion disorder after eating heavy foods or being anxious. And there is proportional relation between angle of the angle of costal arch and BMI. Conclusions : There is significant correlation between the angle of costal arch and digestion as wider costal arch can digest better. Also it has proportional relation between the angle of costal arch and BMI. We expect that further study about morphology of abdomen will develop our abdominal examination and diagnostic methods.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.48-55
• /
• 2008

1. Objectives To examine appearances and body shapes is essential of diagnosing Sasang constitution. Although there are many parts and ways to examine appearances, examination of abdomen would be so necessary and important. We focused on angles of costal arch according to Sasang constitution so that we can find some specialty of each constitution. 2. Methods We measured the angles of costal arch of 173 participants who were diagnosed as Sasang constitution after treatments and analyzed by ANOVA and using Scheffe’s t-test or t-test for some independent parameters. 3. Results and Conclusions 81 Taeumin’s mean costal angle is $93.64^{\circ}$ to be the widest one. 51 Soyangin have $87.27^{\circ}$ mean angle of costal arch to be the second widest one. The next one is Taeyangin’s mean angle of costal arch as $81.66^{\circ}$ but the number of them were only 3. The sharpest costal angle which is $71.02^{\circ}$ is owned by 38 Soeumin. Male participants have wider costal arch than female in all the constitutional groups.