• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.55-76
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• 2017

Objectives : The transition of the 29 diagrams of Heart originated from MingTangZangFuTu will be used to understand the shape of heart and the changes of people's understanding of heart. Methods : The 29 diagrams of Heart originated from MingTangZangFuTu are divided according to their shape elements (Heart itself, internal curvatures, structures above heart, wuzangxi, and excursus). Then its transitions are analyzed, and each shape element is compared to modern anatomy and its textual basis is searched. Results : The lengthy cylinderical organ situated above the heart is composed of upper part consisting with joints and the lower part void of joints. The upper part is Pyewan (such as the lungs) and fall into trachea. The lower part is Xinxi or Feixi which are either relative vein (or aorta) or left bronchus that passes behind the heart. This depiction of the structures around the heart can be considered to have composed by actual observance of a physical heart, a method that is similar to anatomy. However, the shape of the heart itself is described as a lotus flower that has not been bloomed, a depiction which finds its origin from Zhongguangbuzhu huangdineijing suwen (762). The three short curvatures inside the heart is described as Pericardium, influenced by Shisijingfahui (1341) in its depiction, or as sammo, influenced by Nanjing. Structures that are connected directly from the heart to spleen, kidney, and uterus are not found in modern anatomy. The saying in Excursus "All cords of five internal organs belong to heart" is based on Huatuoxuanmenneizhaotu, and this is changed to the saying cords of four internal organs belong to heart in Leijingtuyi for the first time. Conclusions : The authors of medical scriptures at the time did not have a method of direct observance when they were copying heart diagrams. Therefore, they made changes to the source material's diagram and excursus while being influenced by Nanjing, Huatuoxuanmenneizhaotu, and Shisijingfahui. Then the doctors' understandings with regards to the shape and function of heart were reflected during that process.