Bahvi Marma: Anatomical Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Baahvi Marma is one of the delicate and vital points of the body located in the upper limbs, in the arms to be precise. It is represented by Urvi Marma in the lower limb.
बाहु मध्ये बाह्वी नाम्, तत्र शोणित क्षयात् बाहुः शोषः।(सु.शा.६) 

Location, number

Location – Baahvi Marma is located in the arms to be precise.
Number – 2 in number, 1 in each arm.

Exact location of Baahvi Marma in the limbs:
Bahvi marma is located exactly in the Bahu Madhya (middle of the arm or brachium).

Categories

Categories in which the Baahvi Marma is included
Baahvi Marma is classified into various categories. They are as below mentioned –
i) Shaka Gata Marma (Shaaka=Limb) – Marmas located in the limbs.
ii) Sira Marma – Baahvi marma is predominantly made up of Sira i.e. blood vessels, which form the structural component of this Marma. Therefore it is classified under Sira Marma. The other tissues are recessive and are present in less proportion, namely Snayu (ligaments, tendons, and nerves), Asthi (bone), Sandhi (joints) and Mamsa (muscles).

iii) Vaikalyakara Marmas – (Vaikalya – deformity, Kara – forming) – Baahvi Marmas on getting injured causes vaikalya or deformity of the arm or upper limb. Since Baahvi Marma causes deformity, it is classified under Vaikalyakara Marma (deformity forming Marma).

Measurement

Pramana (measurement) –
Bahvi Marma occupies a space of 1 angula dimension (1 angula is approximately equal to the horizontal dimension or breadth of middle segment of one’s own middle finger)

Effect of Injury

तत्र शोणित क्षयात् बाहुः शोषः।(सु.शा.६)

Injury to the Baahvi Marma leads to
Bahu Shosha (emaciation of arm due to loss of blood). It causes severe blood loss  – shonita kshaya, which in due course of time causes emaciation of the bahu (or arm) due to deficit blood supply.

Modern perspective

Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Baahvi Marma

Structures falling in the area of Baahvi Marma –

• Brachial artery
• Brachial vein
• Ulnar nerves
• Radial nerves
• Biceps brachii muscle

We can see the muscles, ligaments, tendons and other tissues too being present in this area comprising of Baahvi Marma but it is rich in blood vessels. Therefore it is a Sira Marma.

When the Baahvi Marma is injured, all the structures involved in any place of marma i.e. snayus (ligaments, tendons, nerves), asthi (bones), mamsa (muscles) and sandhi (joints) may be susceptible to get damaged but the sira (blood vessels) which chiefly make up the structure of Baahvi Marma tends to get injured to a severe extent in comparison to other structures. The impact of injury too will be chiefly due to the effect of injury to the sira component.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)