Bones and muscles of the Upper limb from the Point of View of Iranian Medicine and Its Comparative Analysis with the Anatomical Findings of Modern Medicine

Generally, 25% of patients in the emergency department are patients with musculoskeletal injuries. The physician should be familiar with anatomy, as well as limb injuries, so that patients can receive appropriate treatment. Traditional medicine books are known as rich sources in medicine. In this regard, the aim of this study was to review the bones and muscles of the upper limbs from the Iranian medical point of view and compare them with the anatomical findings of modern medicine.

In this descriptive-comparative study, reliable texts, such as Hidayat al-Mutaallimin, Anatomy Abolhassan Khan, Tashrihe-e-Tafreshi, Tashrih-e-Mansuri, Ibn Sina's Canon, and Zakhire-e Kharazmshahi, were used. Gary, Snell's and Moore's anatomy books were reviewed for modern medicine. Then, a comparative analysis was made, and the differences and similarities were examined.

Upper limb bones were found in the texts of traditional medicine with several terms, including akharak (clavicle), samsanieh (scapula), azod (homerus), zand asfal (ulna), zand ala (radius), rasagh (wrist), mosht (wrist bones), and phalanges. The upper limb muscles also include the shoulder-specific muscles (scapular muscles), arm-specific muscles (arm muscles), zara muscles (forearm muscles), and hand muscles.     

The comparative results of anatomical descriptions in traditional and modern medicine texts showed the detailed and delicate views of traditional medicine practitioners. In addition, the findings emphasized the need for more frequent use of information in traditional medicine texts by physicians in the treatment of various diseases.