本文从①循经感传现象的外周和中枢机理 ;②经脉 脏腑相对特异性联系的生理学与形态学基础 ;③经脉循行线上理化特性的观察和机制分析 ;④古代经络文献研究与现代经络研究史等四个方面概述了“九五”期间经络研究的最新进展。这些研究结果揭示 :循经感传与外周神经、骨骼肌链、脊髓运动神经元柱和大脑皮层等结构和有规律性的功能活动密切相关 ;针刺经脉穴位对相应脏腑功能活动的相对特异性作用有其相关的神经生物学物质基础 ;经脉循行线上出现的各种生物物理现象包括红外辐射轨迹、液晶等与机体生物信息的特殊传递活动密不可分 ;经络是指人体体表与体表、体表与内脏远隔部位特定联系的规律 ;目前我国对于经络的研究处于世界领先水平

有关经络研究的突破还有很长的路要走In the present paper

the authors review the newest advances (1998～2001) of research on "meridian theory" of traditional Chinese medicine from ① the peripheral and central nervous mechanisms of "acupoint stimulation induced sensations transmitting along meridians (STM)"; ② physiological and morphological basis of the relatively specific relationship between meridians and Zangfu-organs; ③ observation on the biophysical and biochemical characters of meridian running traces and analysis on their related mechanisms; ④ research on the ancient documents about meridian theory and recent history of meridian research. Results reveal that STM phenomenon is closely related to the peripheral nerves

skeleton muscle chains

spinal motor neuron column and cerebral cortex

and their regular functional activities. The relatively specific action of acupuncture of acupoints on the corresponding Zangfu-organ has its neurobiological material basis. Various biophysiological phenomena including infra-red radiation trace of meridians (IRRTM)

liquid crystal granules

etc appearing along the meridian are associated with the specific transmission of biological information. The so-called "meridian" is referred to the specific connection regularities between one part and the other part of the body surface or between the body surface and the remote internal organs. Currently

the meridian research of our country is at the leading level in the world

but the breakthrough of study on meridian has a long way to go.