目的:明确针灸穴位和经络的解剖学基础.方法:利用数字人数据和电子计算机体层摄影(CT)、核磁共振成像(MRI)数据,对人体结缔组织断面图像进行标记和重建,并与中医经络相比较.并对全身筋膜结缔组织支架进行生物进化和胚胎发育分析.结果:对人体结缔组织断面图像进行标记和重建,显示出与中医经络记载走行接近的影像结构,提示全身的结缔组织均与经络密切相关.结论:经络的解剖学基础是人体筋膜支架;经络的组织学结构为的非特异性结缔组织(包括疏松结缔组织和脂肪组织);穴位是筋膜上在接受刺激时能产生较强生物信息的部位;提出一种新的解剖学分科方法和学术研究领域:筋膜解剖学.

This study aimed to investigate the anatomical basis of acupoints and meridians. 3-dimensional (3-D) structures of virtual meridians and fascia connective tissue gathering areas were constructed, based on the digital datasets of Virtual Chinese human (VCH) bodies. The vertical distances between virtual acupoints and constructed fascia connective tissues were measured. 3-D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas were constructed based on CT and MRI images of living human bodies, and compared with meridians. 3-D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas in the VCH bodies showed a pattern of beads-on-strings. Furthermore, the distances between the fascia strings and virtual meridians were close. More fascia connective tissue areas were constructed, and more string-like structures were found. When 3-D structures of all fascia connective tissues through over the body were constructed, a body-shaped connective tissue network appeared. 3-D structures of fascia connective tissue gathering areas constructed from both CT and MRI images also showed cord-like and line like patterns, and were colocalized with traditional Chinese meridians. The results showed that the fascia network all over the body is the anatomical basis of acupoints and meridians in the traditional Chinese medicine. The histological composition of Meridian is the non-specific connective tissue (including the loose connective tissue and the fat tissue).

国家科学技术部等14部委和广东省人民政府共同主办的“2009’传统医药国际科技大会暨博览会”第三分会——“传统医药基础理论研究”论文，该论文为大会学术委员会评选的优秀论文；科技部国家重点基础研究发展计划（“973”计划）课题（2007cb512705）: 针灸理论的筋膜学说基础研究,负责人：原林；国家自然科学基金青年科学基金项目（30801464）：经穴的三维可视化及与人体筋膜组织相关性的研究，负责人：戴景兴。