Abstract
Tafarruq-i-Ittiṣāl
(disruption of continuity) represents a fundamental pathological concept in Unani medicine, denoting the loss of structural integrity in tissues and organs that culminates in wound formation. Rooted in the classical doctrines of Greco-Arab medicine as elaborated by scholars such as Buqrat (Hippocrates), Jalinus (Galen), and Ibn Sina (Avicenna), this concept encompasses both visible breaches of tissue and internal separations affecting simple and compound organs. Variations in terminology and classification reflect the organ involved, anatomical site, shape and size of the wound, each with distinct clinical implications. This review synthesizes the philosophical foundation, conceptual construct, classifications, organ-specific terminologies, and therapeutic strategies of
tafarruq-i-ittiṣāl
within Unani medicine. Classical Unani literature, including
Al-Qānūn fi al-Ṭibb, Zakhira Khwarazam Shahi, Kamil us-Sana
, and
Mukhtarat fil-Tib
, alongside foundational concepts derived from Buqrat and Jalinus, was consulted. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus-indexed journals, were searched for literature published between 2005 and 2025. Relevant original articles, reviews, and classical manuscripts directly addressing conceptual and clinical aspects were included, whereas irrelevant and duplicate sources were excluded. Data were extracted thematically and synthesized qualitatively through descriptive and comparative analysis, emphasizing conceptual clarity and scholarly authenticity. The review identifies
tafarruq-i-ittiṣāl
as a central pathological construct in Unani medicine, systematically encompassing disruptions across simple and compound organs, including wounds, fractures, vascular ruptures, neural injuries, and visceral lesions. Unani physicians articulated detailed classifications based on organ type, extent of separation, and causative factors, alongside coherent therapeutic principles, emphasizing general principles, hemostasis, prevention of suppuration, and promotion of healing. The findings demonstrate that
tafarruq-i-ittiṣāl
represents a comprehensive and logically structured doctrine integrating pathology and therapeutics, underscoring the conceptual depth and continued relevance of classical Unani approaches to trauma and wound management in modern medicine.