Skin
Skin, which is, surprisingly, the largest human body organ, is located on the outside of the body of humans and other animals. It is a protective, sensory, and endocrine organ. Accumulating evidence also suggest it has a critical role in the whole body's homeostasis.[1] Historically, skin color has also been, and often still is, a pretext for arbitrary distinctions between peoples, i.e. racism.
According to oriental medicine, the skin is composed of acupoints regulating the interaction of the body with the universe, and of a complex network of meridians coordinating the flow of Chi.
Physiology
By convention, the skin is divided into two subcomponents: the dermis and the epidermis.
Dermis
The protein content of the dermis is 90% collagen, or 75% of the total skin weight; the other major component is elastin, which provides elasticity to the skin.
Epidermis
(...) Drugs, physiologic molecules and pollutants can penetrate the body through the skin, in proportion to their lipophilicity (their affinity to fats).
In oriental medicine
Oriental philosophy views the body as a microcosm interacting with the macrocosm (the "outer" universe). Meridians and acupoints (acupuncture points) located in the skin are viewed as agents of this interaction. Modern attempts to verify to existence of acupoints on the skin, with the help of functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography of the brain, suggest that at least some acupoints do exist, although their material substrate remains unknown.[2]
References
- ↑ Tobin DJ (2006). "Biochemistry of human skin--our brain on the outside". Chem Soc Rev 35: 52–67. PMID 16365642.
- ↑ "These studies show that specific and largely predictable areas of brain activation and deactivation occur when considering the traditional Chinese functions attributable to certain specific acupuncture points. For example, points associated with hearing and vision stimulates the visual and auditory cerebral areas respectively".Lewith GT & al. (Sep 2005). "Investigating acupuncture using brain imaging techniques: the current state of play". Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM 2: 315-9. PMID 16136210.