Modern viem of Embryology-
Embryology is a branch of science that is related to the formation, growth, and development of embryo. It deals with the prenatal stage of development beginning from formation of gametes, fertilization, formation of zygote, development of embryo and fetus to the birth of a new individual.
Heart development, also known as cardiogenesis, refers to the prenatal development of the heart. This begins with the formation of two endocardial tubes which merge to form the tubular heart, also called the primitive heart tube. The heart is the first functional organ in vertebrate embryos.
Human heart develops from its most primitive analogue i.e., a simple tube-like structure to the full-fledged four-chambered structure with septal valves and vessels by about 3rd week of fetal life. Several processes such as turning, twisting, septal formation, bulbus involution etc. takes place between the fifth and eighth week of intrauterine life. By fifth week, the heart tube assumes an "S" shape. The conducting system of heart can be identified by the middle of sixth week of intrauterine life. At about eighth week heart assumes its familiar configuration and the end the interventricular septum also closes.
Heart commences to beat prior to the development of conducting system and circulation is established before a complete vascular mechanism has been laid down. Generally, heart begins to beat at the end of third week. Nerve invades the heart at the end of fourth week and the S.A.node is well developed by the third month of fetal life.
Ayurvedic view of Embryology(GARBHAVIJNANA)-
Detail of embryological development of heart is scanty in the Ayurvedic classics. However, the available information is -
1)In charak samhita, kankayan´s view that heart(hrdaya) is the first fetal organ to develop.
शिरः पूर्वमभिनिर्वर्तते इति कुमारशिरः भरद्वाज....... हृदयमिति काङ्कायनो बाह्लीकभिषक्, चेतनाधिष्ठानत्वात् ।।
(च.शा. 6/21)
2) Acharya Charak considered that all the fetal organs develop simultaneously .
3) Susuruta samhita mentioned Krtavirya's view that Hrdaya develops before to other organs of the embryo itself being the site of Buddhi (Mental faculty) and Manas (mind) .
गर्भस्य हि सम्भवतः पूर्वं हृदयमिति कृतवीर्यो बुद्धेर्मनसश्च स्थानात् ॥ (सु.शा. 3/32)
4) Acharya susuruta supposed that the organization of fetal parts and their growth start in the third month of intra-uterine life. But they will be in Sukṣma rupa (imperceptible state) at that time. By fourth month they will become perceptible and heart start beating. Thence., the mother is called as Douhṛdini.
5) Acharya charak considered that fetal heart starts pulsating from the third month. While, Acharya Susruta considered that the fetal starts functioning from fourth month onwards.
6) Acharya of Ayurveda considered Hṛdaya as Matṛja bhava (organ which is maternal in origin) .
मांसं शोणितं........हृद् ....... मृदूनि मातृजानि
7) Embryologically heart is derived from the of the Rakta and Kapha.
References-
(Cs.sa. 6/12)
(Cs.Sa.6/21),
(Ss.Sa.3/32),
(Ss.Sa.3),
(Cs.Sa.6),
(Ss.Sa.3),
(Ss.Sa.3/33),
( Ss. Sa.4/31).
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