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Study on the Anatomical Meaning of ‘Geun(筋)’ in 『Yeongchu·Gyeonggeun(靈樞· 經筋) 』

Article information

J Korean Med. 2022;43(1):42-59
Publication date (electronic) : 2022 March 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.22005
Min-Sik Kim1,5orcid_icon, Jong-Keun Song2orcid_icon, Chang-Geon Kim3orcid_icon, So-Rim Kim4orcid_icon, Eun-Yong Lee5,orcid_icon
1Mir Korean Medicine Clinic
2DaeSeong Korean Medicine Clinic
3CheongMyeong Korean Medicine Clinic
4College of Korean Medicine, Kyunghee University
5Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University
Correspondence to:Eun-Yong Lee, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, 65, Semyeong-ro, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. 27136, Tel: +82-43-841-1735, Fax: +82-43-856-1731, E-mail: acupley@semyung.ac.kr
Received 2022 February 11; Accepted 2022 February 17.

Abstract

Objectives

This study was done to establish the anatomical meaning of the term ‘Geun(筋)’.

Methods

Through analysis of ≪HwangJeNaeGyeong(黃帝內經)≫, the meaning of ‘Geun(筋)’, ‘GeunMag(筋膜)’, ‘Yug(肉)’, and ‘Gi(肌)’ were established. Based on analysis, the anatomical meaning of the ‘Meridian-muscle(經筋)’ was studied by comparing it with anatomy.

Results & Conclusions

‘Gyeong(經)’ is recognized as a metaphysical expression and “Geun(筋)” means myofascia in anatomy. The concept of ‘Geun(筋)’ includes the epimysium and perimysium, as well as tendons and ligaments, which are extensions of these.

‘Fascia’, refers to the fascia of the whole body, and also appertain to ‘Geun(筋)’. ‘Yug(肉)’ means endomysium, muscle fiber, and adipose tissue and layer. The word ‘GeunMag(筋膜)’ used in the ≪HwangJeNaeGyeong(黃帝內經) ≫ means anatomically a ‘tendon’. Therefore, ‘Muscle’ should be translated as ‘GeunYug(筋肉)’ in Traditional medicine. ‘Meridian-muscle(經筋)’ can be defined as the longitudinal muscle and fascia system, which is the basis of whole body encompassing dynamics.

Keywords: Meridian-muscle(經, 筋); Yeongchu(靈樞); Geun(筋); GeunMag(筋膜); Yug(肉); Gi(肌)

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