Neela Manya Marma: Components, Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Neela Manya is 2 types of Marmas taken as a single unit. There are 2 Neela and 2 Manya Marmas. They are located on either side of the Kanta Naadi (trachea or wind pipe), in the neck. They are predominantly made up of Siras (blood vessels, veins to be precise). 

Neela Manya Marma
तत्र कण्ठ नाडीम् उभयतः चतस्रो धमन्यो द्वे नीले द्वे च मन्ये, व्यत्यासेन तत्र मूकता स्वर वैकृतम् अरसग्राहिता च।(सु.शा.६/२७)

Location

Neela Manya Marmas are located in the neck.
There are 2 Neela and 2 Manya Marmas.
They are dhamanees (arteries, veins).
They are placed on either side of the Kanta Naadi (trachea or wind pipe located in the center of the neck).

Number

Neela Manya Marmas are 4 in number (2 each).

Categories

Categories in which the Neela Manya Marma is included
Neela Manya Marma is classified into various categories. They are as below mentioned –
i) Shiro-Greeva Gata Marma (Shiro = Head, Greeva = Neck) 

ii) Sira Marma – Neela Manya marma is predominantly made up of Siraa i.e. blood vessels (veins). The other elements namely Asthi (Bones), Snaayu (ligaments and tendons), Sandhi (bony joints) and Mamsa (muscles) are also present but in a lesser proportion.

iii) Vaikalyakara Marma – (Vaikalya kara – injury leads to deformity).

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Neela Manya Marma) –
Neela Manya Marma occupies a space of hasta pramana dimension (approximately equal to the size of the palm of one’s own hand).

Effect of Injury

व्यत्यासेन तत्र मूकता स्वर वैकृतम् अरसग्राहिता च।(सु.शा.६/२७)
Injury of Neela Manya Marma causes deformity.

Injury of Neela Manya Marma leads to:
– Mookataa – dumbness, loss of speech
– Swara vaikruti – deformities of voice, abnormal voice
– Arasa graahitaa – loss of perception or sensation of taste

Modern perspective

Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Neila Manya Marma
Structures falling in the area of Neela Manya Marma –

• Superior Laryngeal nerves
• Glasso-pharyngeal nerves
• Hypoglossal nerves and branches
• Carotid arteries and its branches
• Superior Thyroid arteries and its branches
• Jugular veins and its tributaries

Though all the elements which comprise a marma i.e. asthi (bones), mamsa (muscles), snayu (ligaments, tendons) and sandhi (joints) are all present in the site of this Marma, it is predominant in the siraa (veins) making up the Neela Manya Marma, therefore they are a Siraa Marmas.

When Neela Manya marma gets damaged, the effect of injury will chiefly involve the veins and arteries in the neck region in comparison to the extent of damage caused to other tissues.

Just Before Finishing
Neck forms connectivity of the lower portion of the body with the head. Important blood vessels supplying and draining the head (brain) move in the neck to and from the heart. Therefore it becomes a sensitive area. The Neela Manya Dhamanis when get injured cause dumbness, diseases of voice and loss of taste sensation. Therefore any injury to the neck should be addressed immediately because the Neela Manya Dhamanees and the Marmas located in them might be involved.
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