Study of Ayurvediya Guda Sharir and Guda Valis in Comparison with Modern Anatomy

Abstract

Ayurveda has a unique treatment modality in the form of agnikarma (cautery), ksharkarma (application of kshar on body parts) for anorectal diseases such as arsha (piles). In today's era, it is important to demonstrate ayurvedic knowledge, so that more and more health professionals can adopt Ayurveda with a holistic approach in the treatment of anorectal diseases. This study endeavors to understand the terms like guda, gudavalis, adharguda, uttarguda. Critical analysis of literature from classical texts, modern textbooks, and online search engines has been carried out. The pravahini vali measures about 1& 1/2 angula. Its action is 'malasya adhah pidanta', which means it propagates the faeces forwards which seems similar to Housten’s semilunar valve. The internal anal sphincter propagates the faeces towards the anus. Thus, visarjani vali can be considered as the internal anal sphincter. The term samvarani itself means ‘to hold or stop' which implies it is a voluntary muscle. Hence samvarani can be considered as the external anal sphincter. Uttarguda is the seat for fecal collection and adharguda for evacuation of the stool. It is feasible to correlate guda with the rectum part of the large intestine. Pravahini can be considered as the largest Housten's valve,visarjani as the internal anal sphincter, and Samvarani as external anal sphincter. Uttarguda is the seat for fecal collection and adharguda for evacuation of the stools.