An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. II — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1911)

l68 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. V.

IVIetrical Text :— Only the bone-joints have been enumerated and described ; the joints of muscles ligaments and veins are innumerable. 29.

The Ligaments (Snayu) :— There are nine hundred ligaments (Snayus) in the human body, of which six hundred occur in the four extremities ; two hundred and thirty in the trunk (Koshtha) and seventy in the neck and upwards. (Of the six hundred ligaments in the four extremities), six ligaments are situated in each toe making thirty (in the toes of each foot) ; thirty in the Tala (soles), Gulpha (ankles), and the Kurcha (ankle-joint) ; thirty in the leg (Jangha) ; ten in the knee-joints (Janu) ; forty in the Udara (abdomen) ; ten in the groin (Vankshana) ; thus making one hundred and fifty in each leg. The same number is found in the other lower limb and in each of the two upper extremities. (Of the two hundred and thirty ligaments in the trunk\ there are sixty in the lumbar region (Kati) ; eighty in the back ; sixty in the sides ; and thirty in the chest. (Of the seventy ligaments to be found in the region above the clavicles) there are thirty six in the neck (Grivd) and thirty-four in the head. Thus the total number of ligaments in a human body is nine hundred. 30 — 33.

IVIemorable Verses :— Now hear me describe the ligaments (Snayus). They may be grouped under four distinct heads, viz., Pratanavati (ramifying or branching), Vrltta (ring-shaped or circular), Prithu (thick or broad), and Sushira (perforated^. The ligaments (Snayus) which present in the four extremities and the joints belong to the Pratainavati type. The Kandards or large ligaments are of the Vritta type ; while those which arc found in the stomach (Amds'aya"^ or in the intestines ^Pakvds'aya), and in the bladder belong

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to the Sushira type. The h'gaments of the chest, back, sides and head are of the Prithu type. 34 — 35.

As a boat made of planks and timber fastened together by means of a large number of bindings is enabled to float on the water and to carry cargo ; so the human frame being bound and fastened at the Sandhis or joints by a large number of ligaments (Snayu) is enabled to bear pressure. An injury to, or diseases of, the bones, veins, joints or muscles are not so detrimental to the system as is the case if the Snayus are affected in any way. Only the physician, who is acquainted with the internal and external ligaments (Sndyus) of the body, is qualified to extract a hidden and imbedded Salyam (extraneous matter etc.) from any part of the body. 36.

The IVIuSCleS (Pes is) :— The muscles (Pes'is) number five hundred in all, of which four hundred are in the four extremities ; Sixty-six* in the trunk (Koshtha) and thirty-four in the region above the clavicles. 37.

lYluscIes in the Extremities :— There are three muscles in each of the toes, thus making fifteen in the toes of one leg ; ten in the anterior part of the foot and the same number (ten^i attached to the Kurchcha ; ten in the sole and the ankle-bone (Gulpha, — malledi) ; twenty in the region between the Gulpha and the kneejoint ; five in the knee-joint (Janu) ; twenty in the thigh (Uru) ; and ten in the groin (Vankshana) ; thus making one hundred muscles in all in each leg. The same number is found in each of the other three extremities ; (thus making four hundred in all). 38.

Muscles in the Koshtha : -(Of the sixtysix muscles in the trunk), three are in the region of the

• Gayadasa reads sixty in the trunks and forty above the clavicles,

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anus (PaaO ; o;ic in the penis; one in the perineum (Sevan i) ; two in the scrotum ; five in each of the haunches (Sphik) ; two in the top or head of the bladder ; five in the abdomen (Udara) ; one about the umbilicus ; five along each side (of the spinal column), on the upper part of the back (making ten in all) ; six in the sides ; ten in the chest ; seven around the armpits and shoulders (Akshaka-Ansa) ; two in the region of heart and stomach (Amas'aya) ; and six in the region of the liver, spleen and colon (Unduka). 39.

Muscles Of the Head and Neck :— (Of the thirty-four muscles found in this region), four are in the throat (Grivd) ; eight in the two jaw-bones (Hanu) ; one each in the regions of the throat (Kakalaka and Gala) ; two in the palate ; one in the tongue ; two in the lips : two in the nose ; two in the eyes ; four in the cheeks ; two in the ears ; four in the forehead ; and one in the head. Thus the positions and distributions of the five hundred muscles (Pes'is) have been described. 40.

Metrical Text : — The ligaments, veins, bones and joints etc., of a human body, derive their strength from the fact of their being supported by or covered over by the muscles. 41.

Extra Muscles in Women :— Females

have twenty extra muscles ; ten muscles are to be found about the two breasts, five in each, which (muscles) attain their full growth during puberty ; four muscles are present about the parturient passage ; and of these (four) two are about the external and two in the internal orifices (of the vagina) ; three about the region of the OS, and three along the passages of the ovum and sperm. The Garbhdsaya or uterus is situated in the space bounded by the Pittas'aya (small intestine) and Pakvds'aya

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