ÜÇÜNCÜ FASIL · Altıncı Madde
Article Six
Describes the branches and benefits of the veins descending from the lower portion of the jugular vein to the lowest parts.
O esteemed one! Know that anatomists have stated: The remaining layers of the two portions mentioned above descend into the thighs, and each portion has fifteen branches within a thigh, one distributing to the muscles on the front of the thigh, one to the muscles on the back of the thigh, one to the inner side muscles, one found in the outer side muscles. Four penetrate into the depths of the thigh. Two descend to the lowest parts of the thigh. Two reach the knee joint muscles. The remaining three branches; the one on the outside extends along the calf (small leg bone) [4] to the heel bone. [137/a] The middle branch descends from the end of the kneecap, branching off from the inner calf muscles. Of the two branches that remain from it, one disappears within the inner portions of the calf. The other extends between the two heels and, upon reaching the foot in front, merges with a branch of the aforementioned outer portion. The inner surface of the third branch descends into the depths of the calf, proceeding towards the outer convexity of the large leg bone (tibia) to the heel and reaches the inner side of the foot.
The third branch described divides into four branches. Two are on the outer surface, entering the foot from alongside the small leg bone. Two are on the inner surface, one reaching the innermost of the two outer ones, and the other extending along the lower parts of the foot and ending in its distribution. These are all the veins found throughout the human body, which have been explained. And all of them reach three hundred sixty veins. In order to guide [one] towards contemplating and understanding the unique creations and artistry that the All-Wise Artificer (Musavvir-i Hakîm) has fashioned in the human body, which He has created in the most beautiful manner, it has been sufficient to explain and elaborate on this number of similar bodily parts. Following this, a beginning is made with two sections to explain the wisdom of the difference in shape of the limbs and their various sensations and powers. The description of the countless subtle arts within the body has been kept brief, due to the explanation of the organs that resemble one another.
For philosophers have explained the diverse limbs and conditions created within the body through numerous volumes—some hundreds—belonging to the science of anatomy (ilm-i ebdân).
“Glorified is Allah, the Most Beautiful of Creators.” [1] “Glory be to Allah, and glory be to Him Who is the Creator, the Sustainer; His majesty is immense and His power is complete.” [2]
In the text published by Esin Kâhya, "se" ( ) is written as "Tûse." [3]
[Thymus]: A glandular secretion that shrinks and disappears in adults, but performs important functions during fetal and childhood stages; gudde-i timusî. (Ottoman Medical Terminology Dictionary, Turkish History Foundation, p. 549.)
[4] The calf has two bones on each side; one bone is large and long; it is called “kasaba-i kübrâ” (tibia). The other is small and short; it is called "kasaba-i suğrâ" (fibula). The fibula reaches the thigh and knee, and its head adheres to the head of the large bone, which they call tibia. (Itâkî, op. cit., p. 154.)
O esteemed one! Know that anatomists have stated: The remaining layers of the two portions mentioned above descend into the thighs, and each portion has fifteen branches within a thigh, one distributing to the muscles on the front of the thigh, one to the muscles on the back of the thigh, one to the inner side muscles, one found in the outer side muscles. Four penetrate into the depths of the thigh. Two descend to the lowest parts of the thigh. Two reach the knee joint muscles. The remaining three branches; the one on the outside extends along the calf (small leg bone) [4] to the heel bone. [137/a] The middle branch descends from the end of the kneecap, branching off from the inner calf muscles. Of the two branches that remain from it, one disappears within the inner portions of the calf. The other extends between the two heels and, upon reaching the foot in front, merges with a branch of the aforementioned outer portion. The inner surface of the third branch descends into the depths of the calf, proceeding towards the outer convexity of the large leg bone (tibia) to the heel and reaches the inner side of the foot.
The “sâid vein” after passing through the region of the heart divides there into two equal portions along the height of the membrane that separates the chest. The vein ascending upwards distributes in capillary form to the soft flesh called (thymus), which is located near the collarbone (terkût). When the vein ascends, it splits into two branches. Each branch moves away from the other and reaches the region of the collarbone, and each then divides again into two branches. One descends to the ribs on the right side, and the other descends to the ribs on the left side, reaching the sternum there. The vein ascending upwards divides into three parts. Two branches distribute to the muscles located between the ribs, extending their openings to match the mouths of the veins that open there; from these two branches, many veins are distributed to the muscles outside the chest. After completing the sternum, a group of veins also repairs the scapula and gathers there, distributing to the muscles located in it. These two [135/a] are also a contingent of veins that descend beneath the smooth muscles and distribute their branches to them. Their final portions adhere to the muscles and vessels rising from the jugular vein (verîd-i aczî) which will be explained later. The third branch of the vein ascending upwards nourishes both regions of the scapula.
"Glorified is Allah and glorified be He who is the Creator, the Resurrector, whose majesty is immense and whose power is complete."
The "sā'id damar" (vital artery) passes through the region of the heart, then divides into two equal portions at the height of the membrane separating the chest. From there, it branches out in capillary form throughout the soft tissue known as the thymus. The artery ascending upwards reaches the collarbone (terkūt), where it bifurcates into two branches. Each branch diverges from the other, reaching the region of the collarbone and then dividing again into two more limbs. One descends to the ribs and its openings correspond with the arteries there; the others descend to the sternum and terminate within it. Another group of arteries ascends, nourishing the shoulder blades and distributing their branches to the muscles gathered there. These two groups of arteries also extend beneath the flat muscles and distribute their branches amongst them. Finally, some of these arteries connect with the veins of the neck (verīd-i aczī) that ascend from the groin region, extending to the muscles and vessels above. The third branch of the ascending artery nourishes both shoulder blades.
"Glorified is Allah, and glorified be He who is the Creator, the Resurrector, whose majesty is immense and whose power is complete."
The lower leg consists of two bones on each side; one is large and long, called "kasaba-i kübrâ" (tibia); the other is small and short, called "kasaba-i suğrâ" (fibula). The fibula extends to the thigh and knee, and its head adheres to the head of the larger bone, the tibia.
[Notes regarding textual variations are included in the original Arabic text.]
The thymus: an endocrine gland that diminishes and disappears in adulthood; it performs important functions especially during fetal and childhood stages; gudde-i timusî. (Ottoman Medical Terminology Dictionary, Turkish Historical Society, p. 549.)