İKİNCİ FEN · DÖRDÜNCÜ BAB · İKİNCİ FASIL · İkinci Madde
Second Article
It describes the condition of the major arteries originating from the heart, along with their branches, as they extend to the hand and palm.
O beloved! It must be known that anatomists have said: The great artery (shiryan) emerges from the left chamber of the heart and divides into two arms. The larger arm circles around the heart, a portion of it mingling within its substance. The smaller arm passes behind the heart, a portion dispersing into the right atrium. The major portions of these two branches then divide again, one part ascending upwards and the other descending downwards. The reason that the quantity of the descending portion is greater than that of the ascending portion lies in the wisdom that it nourishes and fosters the large and numerous organs located below the heart with its warmth. Since the precious organs situated above the heart are few in number and small in volume, the portion that sustains and nurtures them has been smaller accordingly. Upon the origin of this great artery there hang three suspended membranes (zar), which exit along with it from the heart, providing it with strength and firmness. The *sa’id* (arm) portions of these two divisions further divide into two above the heart. Its larger portion emerges towards the chest, then turns obliquely to the right, reaching the loose, flabby flesh; this also divides into three branches. Two of these accompany the carotid arteries, which we will explain below, as they emerge from the right and left sides of the neck toward the head. The third portion separates towards the chest, the upper and lower six cervical vertebrae, and the clavicle, reaching above the shoulder (scapula). From there it descends to the limbs of both hands, dispersing within them and terminating. The smaller portion of the arm artery emerges towards the left axilla and becomes separate, just like the larger portion’s third division. Through these arteries, the organs of the body attain life.
How magnificent is the power of God, the Exalted, who brings all things from non-existence into existence, having regulated the composition of bodies and established their functioning through their organs! He has given life to every limb through its vital arteries and bestowed nourishment through the blood vessels.