İKİNCİ FEN · DÖRDÜNCÜ BAB · İKİNCİ FASIL · Dördüncü Madde
Fourth Article
Concerning the major artery descending from the heart.
O esteemed one! Know that the anatomists have stated: The large portion of the artery, which descends from the heart and distributes to the body's organs as described above, initially proceeds straight down from the heart until it reaches the fifth vertebra, for its location is aligned with the head of the heart. From this vertebra, it turns downward and descends along the spine, reaching the sacral bone. And as this large portion descends, a vessel dispersed within the right ventricle of the heart, when it arrives at the level of the chest, sends forth a small branch which distributes to the pulmonary side of the chest and even reaches the bronchi of the lungs. Then, this descending portion, as it reaches the vertebrae at the level of the chest, sends a branch to each of them, so that it is distributed among the spinal cord and ribs. Subsequently, as it passes through the chest, two arteries separate from it, going to the diaphragm on the right and left sides, and distributing within its regions.
Then, an artery extends from this descending portion, and three branches emerge from it: one to the liver, another to the spleen, and a third to the rectum. The branch going to the liver passes through it and reaches the bladder. Then, a vessel extends from this descending portion, finding the sensitive points surrounding the intestines. Afterwards, three arteries separate from this descending portion; the smallest of these arrives at the left kidney. The kidney derives life from this artery, distributing within its fibers and those that surround it. The other two large branches enter the kidneys themselves. From them, the two kidneys draw water like a watery substance, as described concerning the liver.
For within the liver, the subtle fluid of blood, not becoming refined through the second digestion, fills both kidneys, and upon taking nourishment from them, the thick residue remains in the bladder. Two arteries also separate from each kidney, descending into the ovaries of men and women. The artery separating from the right kidney finds the right ovary; the artery descending from the left kidney reaches the left ovary. From this descending portion, numerous arteries branch off, being apportioned to the vascular channels surrounding the straight intestine. Their branches enter the spinal cord through between the vertebrae, where they are all distributed. Subsequently, three arteries extend from this descending portion, two going to the hip bone and one to the skin of the testicles, branching out. Then, a small pair of arteries separates from the main descending artery, extending forward in men and women, mingling with the vessels there.
Then, the principal descending artery, being the largest part, reaches the end of the spine, where it becomes two portions along with the arteries whose details we will explain below: one portion goes to the right and another to the left, each encircling the sacral bone and then descending into the two thighs. From each, a branch separates beneath the sacrum, one reaching the bladder and the other the navel. They meet at the navel, and many branches separate from both of them. Some are distributed to the muscles located upon the pubic bone. The surroundings of others follow the course of the urinary passage, distributing to the private parts of men and women.
“The One who has created with beauty the arts that astound minds, perfecting humankind in the most beautiful form, creating them male and female; far removed from deficiency, forgetfulness, and laxity is God Most High, transcendent above all imperfection.”