Study of Ani Marma

Etymology of Ani—This is derived from the word An which means Sabdey. Anirani that which is bound. Junction of two muscles. Description Ani marma is situated on both the sides above, three fingers width from the Janu (Knee joint) An injury of this brings on swelling and paralysis (numbness) of the leg. This situation of this marma is three inches above the elbow joint on both the sides. Injury Rhomboideus minor muscle Rhomboideus major muscle Radial Nerve Inferior lateral brachial Infraspinatus muscle Teres major muscle. Lower subscapular nerve Posterior brachial cutaneous nerve (branch of radial nerve in axilla) Long head cutaneous nerve Posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve Lateral intermuscular septum Brachialis muscle (lateral part; remainder of muscle supplied by musculoradialis nerve) Plate No. 35 The anatomical area of Ani in upper limb 251

to this cause swelling and paralysis. In lower limb three inches above knee joint. (P.V. Krishna Rao) This is a snayu marma. Vaikalyakara in nature. Three anguli in extent. Its bhuta structure is Agni and Jala. Adhidevata is Brahma. Surface Anatomy This marma can also be felt on the median surface of the limb. To palpate it better, slightly abduct the arm or thigh. Move the hands probing upwards and diagonally toward the ventral aspect of Femoral nerve Ascending, transverse and descending branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery Medial circumflex femoral artery Rectus femoris muscle Pectineus muscle Deep femoral artery Perforating branches Adductor longus muscle Vastus lateralis muscle Vastus intermedius muscle Rectus femoris muscle Saphenous nerve Membranous roof of adductor canal (opened) Anterior division and posterior division of obturator nerve Quadratus femoris muscle Adductor brevis muscle Branches of posterior division of obturator nerve Adductor magnus muscle Gracilis muscle Cutaneous branch of obturator nerve Femoral artery and vein Descending genicular artery Sartorius muscle Adductor magnus tendon Plate No. 35a: The anatomical area of Ani in lower limb 252

thigh or arm. On upper limb the point falls almost on the nerve cord that run between the medial wall in the cubital fossa and near the olecranon process. On legs it is towards the medial wall of popliteal fossa. Anatomical Structures corresponding to this marma Upper limb ☐ Brachial artery ☐ Cephalic Vein Basilic Vein 0 Brachial Artery ☐ Median Nerve ☐ Ulnar nerve P Medial Cutaneous nerve ☐ Musculocutaneous nerve ☐ Biceps brachii muscle ☐ Triceps brachii muscle Coracco brachii muscle ☐ Radial Nerve Lower limb [ Apex of popliteal fossa Popliteal Artery ☐ Popliteal Vein Sciatic Nerve □ □ Common Peroneal 0 Tibial Nerve. ☐ Femoral artery. ☐ Femoral Vein. ◎ Branch of Femoral nerve. ☐ Quadriceps. ☐ Biceps femoris muscle. 253

Discussion Ani literally means a nail particularly big nail like structures used in the axis of the wheels of a cart in earlier days. Probably, injury to this marma results in tendon tear of medial flexor of knee joint. This may result in the diagonal movement of forelegs. This leads to drunken gait similar the haphazardous movement of a cart wheel when an Ani is loosened. Tamil varma sastra Kariyel varma is located on the thighs near the left side Odimurivu 42 says this as Kirayel varma. Injury to this varma leads to headache and pain in the skull. In Kulayana marma, marma called Kaithookky which is very similar to the point this is 3 inches above the elbow joint. Any injury to this marma leads to stiffness of the hands with inability to lift the shoulder. There are two marmas in the same area for the Kulayana school of thought. Nilari is situated four inches above the knee joint on the front side of the thighs. If injured this will lead to shooting pain on the lower limbs and buckling of the limbs. 254

Nadathalarpan is situated four inches above the knees on the side of each thighs. Injury leads to severe pain, inability to stand straight.