Pulse Diagnosis Flashcards
1
Q
Cun Kou
A
Current predominant method for taking pulse from radial artery to gauge information on all 12 channels.
2
Q
Cun
A
Distal
3
Q
Guan
A
Middle
4
Q
Chi
A
Proximal
5
Q
Touching
A
Palpating with slight pressure; finger rests on the skin
6
Q
Pressing
A
Palpating with heavy pressure; finger presses down to the bones and tendons
7
Q
Seeking
A
Palpating with moderate pressure; finger presses into the middle area
8
Q
Superficial Depth
A
When the skin is lightly touched; skin level; level of heaven
9
Q
Middle Depth
A
When a moderate amount of pressure is applied; level of man; muscle level
10
Q
Deep Depth
A
When a heavy pressure is applied; level of earth; tendon and bone level
11
Q
Characteristics of a Healthy Pulse
A
60- 90 beats per minute (4-5 beats per breath)
Even and gentle pulsation in all three positions
Neither wide nor thin; neither superficial nor deep
Full of Stomach Qi (Wei Qi)
Full of Spirit (Shen)
Rooted (Gen)
12
Q
Wei Qi
A
Stomach Qi
It is the motive or force for the generation of nutritive substances in the body (forms the basis of the pulse)
13
Q
Shen
A
Spirit
Vitality and phenomenon of life. Spirit in the pulse refers to a complex reflection of normal functions of the zang fu organs and sufficient blood and qi
14
Q
Gen
A
Root
The source of life; kidney qi forms the root of the pulse because the kidney is the congenital root of human life
15
Q
Seasons Affect on Pulse:
Spring
A
Wiry
16
Q
Seasons Affect on Pulse:
Summer
A
Flooding
17
Q
Seasons Affect on Pulse:
Autumn
A
Floating
18
Q
Seasons Affect on Pulse:
Winter
A
Deep
19
Q
Components of a Normal Pulse
A
Size (Width) Depth Strength Length Rate Rhythm Tension Shape
20
Q
Mental State/Emotional Affect on Pulse:
Anger
A
Wiry or rapid
21
Q
Mental State/Emotional Affect on Pulse:
Melancholy
A
Moderate
22
Q
Mental State/Emotional Affect on Pulse:
Fear
A
Deep (Submerged)
23
Q
Mental State/Emotional Affect on Pulse:
Joy
A
Slow
24
Q
Mental State/Emotional Affect on Pulse:
Grief
A
Short
25
Mental State/Emotional Affect on Pulse:
| Fright
Moving
26
Blood Vessel Diameter
| Thin
Blood and/or yin insufficient to fill the vessels
27
Blood Vessel Diameter
| Wide
Excessive qi or blood overfills the vessels
28
Blood Vessel Depth
| Deep Level
Qi obstructed or to weak to push outward
29
Blood Vessel Depth
| Superficial Level
Yang qi pushes blood outwards
30
Pulse Rate
| Slow
Blood moves slow because yang qi is obstructed or deficient
31
Pulse Rate
| Rapid
Blood moves fast due to excessive yang qi
32
Length
| Short
Qi and blood obstructed or deficient, not arrive to the area
33
Length
| Long
Excessive qi and blood filling in the vessels
34
Rhythm
Largely determined by heart qi. Rhythm becomes irregular when yang qi is deficient or when pathogenic factors obstruct the movement
35
Pulse Size (determined by)
Blood and Qi
36
Pulse Depth (determined by)
Yang qi
37
Pulse Strength (determined by)
Qi
38
Pulse Rate (determined by)
Yang Qi
39
Pulse Length (determined by)
Qi and blood (mainly qi)
40
Pulse Rate (determined by)
Heart Qi
41
Pulse Tension (determined by)
Qi and blood
42
Tension
| Slack
Qi and blood deficiencies fail to fill the vessel
43
Tension
| Taut
Qi stagnated or contraction of the vessels
44
Pulse Shape (determined by)
Qi and blood
45
Classification of Pathological Pulses
Yin and Yang
Yin
Weak strength, deep location, slow speed, short length
46
Classification of Pathological Pulses
Yin and Yang
Yang
Forceful strength, superficial location, rapid speed, long length
47
Classification of Pathological Pulses
Component Change
Simple Pulse
Only one factor in a pathological state
48
Classification of Pathological Pulses
Component Change
Complex Pulse
Pulses composed of more than one factor in a pathological state
49
Categories of Key Pathological Change
```
Deep
Superficial
Slow
Rapid
Deficiency
Excess
```
50
Superficial Pulse (Floating Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Superficial Pulse (Floating Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is distinctly felt on the superficial level. The strength decreases slightly in the deeper levels but without feeling empty.
Indications:
Exterior Syndrome
Deficiency Syndrome
51
Deep Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Deep Pulse
Character: Located deep next to the bone, it can barely be felt by light touching or moderate force, it is distinct only by pressing down to the bones and tendons.
Indications: Interior syndrome
52
Slow Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Slow Pulse
Character:
The pulse beat less than three times per breath, about 40 - 60 bpm, but with a regular rhythm.
Indications:
Cold syndrome
Qi deficiency
53
Fast Pulse (Rapid Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Fast Pulse (Rapid Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is rapid and beats over five times per breath (90 - 140 bpm), with a regular rhythm.
Indications:
Heat syndrome
54
Excess Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Excess Pulse
Character:
The pulse can be felt in all the three positions at all three levels. It is long, large and forceful, giving a feeling of fullness. It is also the general term for all the forceful pulses felt on the three regions and the three levels of pressure.
Indications:
Excess syndrome
55
Deficient Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Deficient Pulse
Character:
The pulse size is wide but without strength (forceless) and slack in tension. The pulse is forceless at all three positions with either light or heavy pressure. It is also the general term for all the forceless pulses felt on the three regions and the three levels of pressure.
Indications:
Deficiency syndrome
56
Large Pulse (Big Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Large Pulse (Big Pulse)
Character:
The vessel is wide
Indications:
Deficiency
57
Thready Pulse (Thin Pulse or Small Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Thready Pulse (Thin Pulse or Small Pulse)
Character:
Pulse width is very thin and feels like a fine thread but is very distinct and clear without interruption of rhythm when pushing on the pulse. (Blood vessel’s diameter decreased)
Indications:
Deficiency- qi, blood or/and yin
Excess- dampness
58
Long Pulse (Overflowing Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Long Pulse (Overflowing Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is smooth and straight. The pulse can be felt to extend distally and proximal to the usual three positions.
Indications:
Liver Yang rising
Excessive interior heat
Normal
59
Short Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Short Pulse
Character:
The pulse cannot be felt in all three position. The pulse is absent in the Cun and or/Chi positions.
```
Indications:
Qi disorder (stagnation, or deficient)
```
60
Rolling Pulse (Slippery Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Rolling Pulse (Slippery Pulse)
Character:
The pulse moves quickly, smoothly, and slippery inside the vessel. The vessel is plump. Like a pearl rolling on a plate.
Indications:
Food stagnation
Phlegm or dampness
Excess heat
61
Hesitant Pulse (Sluggish or Choppy Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Hesitant Pulse (Sluggish or Choppy Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is: (1) slow and wave shape not smooth, (2) or the rhythm is irregular, (3) or irregular in strength and fullness.
Indications:
Excess- stagnation of Qi and Blood, food, phlegm
Deficiency- Blood or essence, or threatened abortion
62
Surging Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Surging Pulse
Character:
Pulse is wide and forceful though it fades gently. Like a wave in the ocean. The vessel is wide and thick.
Indications:
Excess heat in the qi level
63
Abrupt Pulse (Running or Hasty Pulse)
Character:
Indications:
Abrupt Pulse (Running or Hasty Pulse)
Character:
The pulse beats are rapid with irregular pauses.
Indications:
Excess syndrome- excessive heat; stagnation (qi, blood, phlegm or food)
Deficiency of Zang Fu
64
Knotted Pulse
Character:
Indications:
Knotted Pulse
Character:
The pulse beats are slow with irregularly
missed beats, the pulse continues immediately.
Indications:
Excess Yin- stagnation (qi, phlegm, and blood); cold; tumor mass
Vital qi deficiency
65
Intermittent Pulse
Character:
Indication:
Intermittent Pulse
Character:
Pauses at regular intervals. After the pause, the pulse will wait a moment and then continue beating.
Indication:
Deficiency- declining Zang Fu Qi
Excess- wind syndrome; pain; disorders due to emotional fear and fright
66
Soft Pulse (Soggy Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Soft Pulse (Soggy Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is superficial, thin and hits the fingers without strength.
Indication:
Dampness
Deficiency of Qi, Blood and Yin
67
Weak Pulse (Feeble or Frail Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Weak Pulse (Feeble or Frail Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is deep and thin, and hits the fingers without strength.
Indication:
Qi and blood deficiency
68
Hollow Pulse (Scallion Stalk)
Character:
Indication:
Hollow Pulse (Scallion Stalk)
Character:
The pulse is wide and slack when touched lightly and hollow when seeking. On pressing, the edges of the vessel are clearly felt but he center is obscure.
Indication:
Loss of blood
Yin depletion
69
Leather Pulse (Drum-skin or Tympanic Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Leather Pulse (Drum-skin or Tympanic Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is large (thick and wide), superficial, string-like, taut when touch lightly, and hollow when pressing deeply.
Indication:
Blood loss, Essence exhaustion.
Abortion, and metrorrhagia & metrostaxis
70
Scattered Pulse
Character:
Indication:
Scattered Pulse
Character:
The pulse is feels wide, superficial, weak and loose without force when touching lightly. It is an indistinct and unclear feeling. The boundary of the vessel is vague. When seeking or pressing the pulse disappears, so that the rate is hard to count.
Indication:
Exhaustion of Qi, Zang Fu organs failure
71
Hidden Pulse
Character:
Indication:
Hidden Pulse
Character:
The pulse is not felt when touching, seeking or pressing. Only by pressing very heavily to the bone can the pulse be felt. The pulse beats seem to come from beneath the bone and tendons.
Indication:
Pathogens obstruct interior
Syncope
72
Firm Pulse (Confined Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Firm Pulse (Confined Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is deep, taut, long, wide, fixed and forceful. Deeply located, it cannot be felt by light or moderate pressure.
Indication:
Interior excess cold syndrome (hernia, lumps and masses)
73
Minute Pulse (Faint Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Minute Pulse (Faint Pulse)
Character:
The vessel is extremely thin and forceless. It seems to be felt and then not felt. When pressing deeply, the vessel and pulse become vague. It is like a fine thread.
Indication:
Deficiency syndrome- Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang
74
Wiry Pulse (String Taut Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Wiry Pulse (String Taut Pulse)
Character:
The pulsefeels taut, long and forceful whether under pressure of fingers or not, and maintains a straight line beneath the finger.
Indication:
Liver/GB diseases
Pain
Phlegm or malaria
75
Tense Pulse (Tight Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Tense Pulse (Tight Pulse)
Character:
The pulse rises and falls with strength and vibrates to the left and right. Its strength is like a tightly twisted rope, unevenly stretched, and snapping back and forth.
Indication:
Cold syndrome
Pain
Food stagnation
76
Moderate Pulse (Retarded, Leisurely or Slowed-down Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Moderate Pulse (Retarded, Leisurely or Slowed-down Pulse)
Character:
It beats four times per breath.
A) the pulse moves smoothly
B) the movement has a sensation of slowness
Indication:
A) Normal (physiological) pulse
B) Pathological pulse- dampness; spleen and stomach deficiency
77
Moving Pulse (Bouncing or Spinning Bean Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Moving Pulse (Bouncing or Spinning Bean Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is rapid and slippery. At Guan portion, the pulsation is forceful. It is like a bean bouncing in vessels, with well defined peaks, but without head or tail
Indication:
Severe pain
Fright
78
Swift Pulse (Racing or Hurried Pulse)
Character:
Indication:
Swift Pulse (Racing or Hurried Pulse)
Character:
The pulse is more rapid and beats more than 7 times per breath (> 140 - 180 beat/minutes). It is the extreme condition of the rapid pulse. Its rhythm being generally regular
Indication:
Hyperactivity of Yang and excessive heat
Yin exhaustion and Vital Qi collapse
