A multi-disciplinary review on the diagnostic significance of body organ morphology in different body conditions (health and disease)

Abstract

Body physique is simply known as the shape and size of the body. A range of factors influences a person’s physique, and lifestyle changes can cause shifts over time. Body physique plays an important role in the disease’s susceptibility, diseases diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of body physique presenting insight from traditional and Modern perspectives. A comprehensive literature review was conducted through an extensive analysis of classical manuscripts, standard textbooks, and published research articles from Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese, and contemporary biomedical sciences to explore the concept of body physique and constitutional typology. Relevant literature was systematically searched using electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, employing keywords such as body physique, Mizāj, hayyate Aaza, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Prakriti, and somatotypes. Almost all traditional medicine poses a very strong belief on the importance of body physique as a reflection of internal balance and overall health. These traditional medical systems use this physical form for diagnosis, treatment and specific lifestyle recommendations. The review highlights the relationship between Mizāj/prakriti and body physique. This analysis of various systems of medicine reveals common insights, particularly in recognizing constitutional predispositions and their application to preventive and individualized care. Integrating ancient concepts with modern biomedical knowledge may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the body, advancing methods to predictive diagnoses, personalized therapy, and lifestyle changes. Despite cultural and theoretical variances, all of these systems adhere to the principle that the body's outward shape reflects internal environment.