ACUPUNCTURE POINTS - MACROSCOPIC AND MICR OSCOPIC FINDINGS IN BODY-ACUPUNCTURE AND EAR-ACUPUNCTURE POINTS

Gross dissection and serial sectioning of skin biopsies was performed in order to define specific structural features of acupuncture points. Our findings in cattle and dogs proved that acupuncture points were o rganized according to two structural principles: 19 out of 27 points i nvestigated on the bladder meridian clearly resembled anatomically def ined perforation sites where bundles of nerves and vessels passed thro ugh the thoracolumbar fascia. The remaining 8 acupuncture points corre sponded to sites where cutaneous branches of spinal nerves passed into the dermis of the animal's back. Perforation of the superficial fasci a by nerve-vessel bundles was observed in all 5 acupunture points exam ined on the gallbladder meridian. Gross dissection of auricular cartil age was performed in 19 dogs of different breeds to map perforations o f the ear cartilage. Topography of perforation sites was compared with acupuncture points registrated in widely used canine ear maps, and 70 to 80% correspondence was noted. Here, nerve-vessel bundles were foun d to pass through as described for body acupuncture points. Histologic al examination of activated acupuncture points in the auricle showed n umerous mast cells, infiltration by lymphocytes (particularly in chron ic diseases) and dilated lymphatics. It is suggested that sympathetic fibers of the perivascular nerve plexuses transmit information about i rritation of the corresponding organ to the cutaneous projection area. By releasing substance P, sympathetic nerve fibers may cause degranul ation of mast cells. Consequently, local edema, hyperemia, and hyperes thesia result, clinically observed signes of activated acupuncture poi nts. Acute or chronic inflammation of projection areas in the auricles may be responsible For decreased electrical resistance of the skin in activated ear acupuncture points.