‘Twak’ as per Ayurvedic science means which encloses the whole body. Joseph Listre said, ‘Skin is best dressing’. Twak is updhatu of Mamsa which forms the outer covering of the body and protects the body from external factors such as heat & cold. It is an important organ of integumentary system which envelops underlying tissues & organs. Ayurveda mentions twak as sparshanaindriya and different layers of twak are mentioned by Acharyas. Understanding each layer is still unclear with reference to layers of skin mentioned by contemporary science. There is a need to understand the different layers of twak & skin, their structural, functional and developmental interpretation and to correlate between them.
Sharma PV. Sushruta Samhita with Nibandhasangraha commentary of Dalhanacharya. Shareera Sthana 4/4. Reprint ed. Varanasi (India): Chaukambha Orientalia; 2009:355.
Kunte AM, Navare KS. Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata with Commentary: Sarvangasundara of Arunadatta and Ayurvedarasayana of Hemadri. Shareera Sthana 3/8. Reprint ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2014:386.
Sharma PV. Sushruta Samhita with Nibandhasangraha commentary of Dalhanacharya. Shareera Sthana 4/4. Reprint ed. Varanasi (India): Chaukambha Orientalia; 2009:355.
Kunte AM, Navare KS. Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata with Commentary: Sarvangasundara of Arunadatta and Ayurvedarasayana of Hemadri. Shareera Sthana 3/8. Reprint ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2014:386.
