Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Kurchashira Marma is one of the delicate and vital points of the body located in the hands and feet.
गुल्फ सन्धेः अधः उभयतः कूर्चशिरा नाम, तत्र रुजा शोफौ।(सु.शा.६)
Table of Contents
Number
Koorchashira Marmas are 4 in number
1 each in the right and left hand = 2
1 each in the right and left foot = 2
Location
Exact location of Kurchashira Marma in the limbs:
In the upper limb – It is located on both the sides (left and right hands). It is located distal to Manibandha Sandhi (wrist joint), on both hands.
In the lower limb – It is located distal to Gulpha Sandhi (ankle joint) on both feet.
Categories
Koorchasira Marma is classified into various categories. They are as below mentioned –
- i) Shaka Gata Marma (Shaaka=Limb) – Since Kurchashira Marma is located in both upper and lower limbs; they are classified under shaaka gata marmas i.e. Marmas located in the limbs. They are present in the hands and foot (on the palmar and plantar sides respectively).
- ii) Snayu Marma – Koorchashira marma is predominantly made up of Snayu i.e. tendons and nerves. Therefore it is classified under Snayu Marma. The other tissues are recessive or present in less proportion, namely Sira (blood vessels), Asthi (bone), Sandhi (joints) and Mamsa (muscles).
iii) Rujakara Marmas (Ruja – Pain, Kara – Causing) – These Marmas cause severe pain on getting damaged. Koorchasira Marma on getting injured causes Ruja or pain in the hands (upper limb) or foot (lower limb) depending on the site at which the marma is injured. Since the marma causes pain it is classified as Rujakara Marma or pain causing Marma.
Measurement
Measurement of Kurchashira Marma) –
It occupies a space of 1 angula dimension (1 angula is approximately equal to the horizontal dimension or breadth of middle segment of one’s own middle finger)
Effect of Injury
तत्र रुजा शोफौ।(सु.शा.६)
Injury to the Kurchashira Marma causes Ruja (severe pain) and Shopha (swelling or edema).
Modern perspective
Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Koorchashira Marma
Structures falling in the area of Kurchashira Marma –
Upper Limb:
- Ulnar Collateral ligaments
- Radial collateral ligaments
- Inter-carpal ligaments
- Transverse carpal ligaments
- Ulnar artery
- Median nerve
- Superficial branches of ulnar nerve
- Inter-carpal articulations
Lower Limb:
- Deltoid ligaments
- Talo-calcaneal ligaments
- Calcaneo-fibular ligaments
- Annular ligaments
- Tendon of Tibialis anterior muscle
The muscles, blood vessels and other tissues too are present in this area comprising of Kurchashira Marma. But the Marma is rich in ligaments, tendons and nerves. Therefore it is a Snayu Marma.
When the Kurchashira Marma is injured, all the structures involved in any place of marma i.e. sira (blood vessels), asthi (bones), mamsa (muscles) and sandhi (joints) may be susceptible to get damaged but the snayu (ligaments or tendons) which chiefly make up the structure of Kurchashira Marma tends to get severely injured in comparison to other structures. The impact of injury too will be due to the effect of injury to the snayu component.
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