A Comprehensive Study of Peshi Sharira w.s.r. to Urdhavashakhagata Peshi

Abstract

Peshi are the compact form of Mamsa Dhatu having muscle fibres are  arranged side by side and separated with each other. Peshi are lengthy  and have fleshy appearance. Pitta Yukta Vayu enters the Mamsa and then  divides it into Peshi. Peshi are component of body mainly composed of  Mamsa Dhatu.Most of treatises provide the brief knowledge regarding  the Peshi, but Acharya Sushruta mentioned more in details about the  types, location, distribution, number and function of Peshi. The total  number of Peshis enumerated is 500. Amongst these, 400 are located in  Shakha, 66 in Koshtha and 34 in Greevapratyurdhwa. 100 Peshis of  each upper limb divided under 8 regions and categorised under 12  Swaroopas. However, there is no specific identification of different  Peshis based on Swaroopa, provided in the Samhita. Objective of this  study is to study the literature on Peshi Shareera w.s.r. to  Urdhavashakhagata Peshi in the light of modern science by cadaveric  study and to categorise the Peshis of upper limbs into 12 Swaroopas. As  per literary and cadaveric study, a total of 53 Peshis are found in the  upper limb. 9 of 12 Swaroopa are found to be relevant for categorising  the Urdhavashakha Peshis. The reason for the difference in the number  of Peshis could be inclusion of tendons or aponeurosis, or single muscle  observed in two or more regions or 2 heads of origin of a single muscle  as two.