Exploration of the construction of semantic framework of meridians and acupoints based on top-level ontology.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210914-0002
- Author:
Lu FU
1
;
Bao-Jin LI
2
;
Ke-Yu YAO
3
;
Yan ZHU
3
Author Information
1. National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Postdoctoral Research Station, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing
2. School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of CM; International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, Beijing University of CM.
3. Institute of Informational TCM, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
acupoint;
basic formal ontology (BFO);
canonical anatomy reference ontology (CARO);
meridian;
top-level ontology
- MeSH:
Acupuncture;
Acupuncture Points;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*;
Humans;
Meridians;
Semantics
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2022;42(9):1064-1072
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Based on the top-level ontology and the existing ontology methodology, the related concepts of meridians and acupoints were discriminated, defined and classified; the relationship of core concepts were established, e.g. meridians, acupoints and zangfu. It was attempted to build an ontological semantic framework of meridians and acupoints. Through the investigation on the classification mode of the top-level ontology, it is proposed that the meridians and acupoints, as the unique concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, exist in the form of "emptiness" and belong to "immaterial entity". Meridians refer to the three-dimensional channels in the human body, and acupoints are divided into ontological acupoints and body surface ones. Ontological acupoints are regarded as a three-dimensional structure within the human body, whereas, body surface ones are the optimal sites for acupuncture needle insertion on the body surface, meaning, the zero-dimensional point on the body surface. The main relationships between meridians and acupoints include is-a, exterior-interior, located-in, correspondent-to, mapping, etc. The exploration of the semantic framework of meridians and acupoints is conductive to understanding the connotation of meridians, acupoints and their relationship.
