Ayurvedic Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

The Marmas are vital points in Ayurvedic anatomy. How many major Marma points are classically described in the texts?

Answer: 107

Classical texts, particularly Sushruta Samhita, describe 107 major marma points distributed across the body.

Which of the five Bhutas (great elements) is primarily associated with the formation of Mamsa (muscle) dhatu?

Answer: Prithvi (Earth)

Mamsa dhatu is predominantly composed of the Prithvi (Earth) element, reflecting its dense, solid, and stable nature.

In Ayurveda, 'Sthana Samshraya' is a stage in disease development referring to which event?

Answer: Localization of an aggravated dosha in a specific weak tissue or organ

Sthana Samshraya is the fourth stage of Kriya Kala (six stages of disease) where the displaced dosha lodges in a susceptible tissue.

The concept of 'Prakriti' (constitution) is determined primarily by which factor in Ayurvedic physiology?

Answer: The dominant doshas at the moment of conception

Prakriti is established at conception and reflects the ratio of doshas present at that moment, remaining fixed for life.

Vyana Vayu is the sub-dosha of Vata that pervades the entire body; its primary function is to govern which action?

Answer: Circulation and distribution of nutrients throughout the body

Vyana Vayu moves throughout the entire body and is responsible for the circulation of blood, nutrients, and nerve impulses.

Which Srotas carries the essence of digested food (Ahara rasa) and is the root of the Annavaha srotas?

Answer: The small intestine and left side of the heart

Rasavaha srotas originates in the heart and the ten vessels connected to it, carrying the nutritive plasma formed from digested food.

In Ayurvedic anatomy, the Shukra dhatu in males and its female counterpart Artava have which upstream dhatu in the metabolic sequence?

Answer: Majja

Shukra/Artava is the seventh and final dhatu in the sequence, formed from Majja (marrow/nerve tissue), the sixth dhatu.