Scholars International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology (SIJAP)
Volume-9 | Issue-02 | 59-63
Original Research Article
The Role of Tashrīḥ-ul-Badan (Anatomy) in the Unani System of Medicine: Historical Foundations, Clinical Applications, and Contemporary Relevance
Sanu Babu, Asma Mohammad Tahir, Abdul Quavi, Abdul Malik, Aqsa Mohd Tahir
Published : April 10, 2026
Abstract
Background: Tashrīḥ-ul-Badan (anatomy) occupies a foundational position in the Unani system of medicine. Although the anatomical framework of this system is rooted in classical Greek traditions, it has undergone significant expansion, empirical critique, and refinement within the Greco-Arabic medical paradigm during the Islamic Golden Age. Objective: This study systematically examined the historical evolution of anatomical knowledge within the Unani system of medicine by analyzing how classical texts prescribed the operationalization of this knowledge in diagnostic reasoning, therapeutic interventions, and surgical procedures. Methods: This study employed a structured qualitative historical review methodology underpinned by systematic textual analysis of classical Greco-Arabic medical literature. The systematic nature involved defined criteria for primary source selection, a multi-stage content analysis framework including open coding and thematic synthesis, and a comparative evaluation strategy to ensure robust interpretation. Findings: The analysis revealed three interrelated themes concerning Tashrīḥ-ul-Badan: foundational Greek influence, critical refinement by Arabic physicians, and continuous integration into diagnostic and surgical practice. Evidence from the literature demonstrates how historical scholars have envisioned anatomical knowledge that actively guided clinical reasoning and operative procedures. Conclusion: Canonical texts meticulously prescribed Tashrīḥ-ul-Badan as an operational clinical science rather than a static theoretical discipline. This advanced anatomical framework was designed to directly inform diagnostics, therapeutic strategies, and surgical interventions, highlighting the profound clinical sophistication championed by Greco-Arabic medical scholarship. This demonstrates a commitment to anatomically informed practice that resonates with the spirit of rigorous clinical anatomy in modern medicine, despite differing methodologies and technological capabilities.