Abstract

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF RAKTAVAHA SROTAS IN VATARAKTA W.S.R. TO GOUT

Poonam Gupta and Khushboo Rani*

Abstract

Raktavaha srotas are the channels which circulates the Rakta dhatu to each and every part of the body for the nourishment of every tissue. It originates from yakrit (liver), pleeha (spleen) and raktavahini dhamini (blood vessels). According to Ayurveda, Vatarakta includes vitiation of vata dosha and Rakta dhatu. The pathway of vata dosha is obstructed by vitiated rakta dhatu. Due to this obstruction, vata dosha abnormally increases by all its qualities to produce the disease particularly at smaller joints such as joints of fingers (metatarsal & metacarpal joints) because they have closely related blood vessels which are curved as per shape of the joint. This anatomical condition helps for saturation of increased dosha as well as dushya at that place to create Vatarakta. As per Modern medicine, Gout is a disorder of purine metabolism manifested by increased serum uric acid concentration. It involves periarticular tissues to the presence of monosodium urate crystal. That monosodium urate crystal preferentially deposits in peripheral connective tissue in and around synovial joint, initially favouring lower limb rather than upper limb and especially targeting the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and small joints of feet and hands. On the basis of similarity in functional anatomy of Vatarakta can be corelated with Gout. Further anatomical aspect of Vatarakta will be described in full paper.

Keywords: Raktavaha Srotas, Raktadhatu, Vatarakta, Gout.