Tongue

Question 1

What is the significance of the tongue in diagnosis?

Answer 1

The tongue is very important for diagnosis as it reflects the external part of the heart and its connection with other organs.

The tongue can indicate various health conditions based on its appearance and characteristics.

Question 2

What should be considered when inspecting the tongue?

Answer 2

Inspection should be done with the patient sitting or lying back, under natural light, with the mouth open wide.

This ensures a clear view of the tongue for accurate diagnosis.

Question 3

What does black fur on the tongue indicate?

Answer 3

Black fur is a kind of poison, indicating indeficiency kind of heat.

This can suggest severe underlying health issues.

Question 4

How quickly can changes occur in the tongue body and fur?

Answer 4

Tongue body changes slowly, while fur changes quickly.

This distinction helps in assessing the duration and nature of health issues.

Question 5

How can diet affect the tongue’s appearance?

Answer 5

Sometimes what the patient eats can change the color of the tongue.

Diet can influence the tongue’s health and appearance significantly.

Question 6

What is the typical appearance of a normal tongue?

Answer 6

A normal tongue is light red, with good moisture, size, softness, and thin whitish fur.

Deviations from this appearance can indicate various health conditions.

Question 7

What does a deep red tongue with fur indicate?

Answer 7

A deep red tongue with fur indicates excessive heat syndrome.

This condition reflects an imbalance that may require treatment.

Question 8

What does a blue, dark tongue signify?

Answer 8

A blue, dark tongue signifies blood stasis and that blood stops moving.

This can be a serious condition requiring attention.

Question 9

What does a bulgy, swollen tongue with teeth marks indicate?

Answer 9

A bulgy, swollen tongue with teeth marks indicates qi deficiency, spleen deficiency and/ or dampness.

This can reflect chronic digestive issues or fluid retention.

Question 10

What is indicated by a rough tongue fur?

Answer 10

Rough tongue fur indicates damp heat.

This can suggest inflammation or infection.

Question 11

What does a prickly tongue with red dots in the fur mean?

Answer 11

A prickly tongue with red dots in the fur means heat.

This often indicates an acute inflammatory condition.

Question 12

What does a fissured tongue indicate?

Answer 12

A fissured tongue is quite normal and the fur in the cracks is also normal.

It can be a common anatomical variation.

Question 13

What does a flaccid tongue indicate?

Answer 13

A flaccid tongue indicates qi, blood, and body fluid deficiency.

This condition may be associated with fatigue or weakness.

Question 14

What is indicated by varicosity under the tongue?

Answer 14

Varicosity under the tongue signifies blood stasis.

This can be a sign of circulatory problems.

Question 15

What does a mirror-like appearance of the tongue indicate?

Answer 15

A mirror-like appearance of the tongue indicates yin or qi deficiency.

This is often seen in conditions like menopause or autoimmune diseases.

Question 16

What does a yellow and rough fur on the tongue indicate?

Answer 16

Yellow and rough fur indicates pathogenic heat consuming body fluid.

This can suggest dehydration or infection.

Question 17

What does a reddish tongue tip indicate?

Answer 17

A reddish tongue tip indicates heat in the heart and lung.

This can reflect systemic inflammation.

Question 18

What does a pale tongue indicate?

Answer 18

Deficient blood or qi

Question 19

What does a dry, pale tongue indicate?

Answer 19

Deficient blood

Question 20

What does a pale, wet tongue indicate?

Answer 20

Deficient qi

Dampness

Question 21

What does a scarlet red tongue indicate?

Answer 21

Extreme heat

If from external heat, then it indicates that heat is in the deepest level of the body

Question 22

What does a purple tongue indicate?

Answer 22

Blood stasis

Question 23

What does a reddish purple tongue indicate?

Answer 23

Heat

Question 24

What does a purple tongue indicate?

Answer 24

Cold

Could be failure of Liver to flow or spread

Question 25

What organ is tongue fur mostly related to and what has it been referred to as before?

Answer 25

Spleen Often referred to as smoke because of impure fluids that rise from the spleens vaporization process.

Question 26

What does a peeled tongue look like? What does it indicate?

Answer 26

When there is no fur and the tongue looks shiny Indicates deficient yin or fluids Or the Spleen being too weak to raise smoke

Question 27

What is does a thin tongue indicate?

Answer 27

Deficient blood or fluids

Question 28

What is a stiff tongue and what does it indicate?

Answer 28

Wind or mucus Obstructing heart qi

Question 29

What is a trembling tongue and what does it indicate?

Answer 29

A tongue that wiggles uncontrollably If pale then qi deficiency - insufficient qi to regulate proper movement If red then indicates internal wind moving the tongue

Question 30

What does a lolling tongue like a panting dog indicate?

Answer 30

Heat

Question 31

What is a contracted tongue and what can the indications be?

Answer 31

Pale or purple is cold penetration Swollen is phlegm or dampness Red is heat injuring fluids

Question 32

Which organ corresponds with the centre of the tongue?

Answer 32

Spleen Stomach

Question 33

What organ does the sides of the tongue correspond with?

Answer 33

Liver gallbladder

Question 34

What organ does the tip of the tongue correspond with?

Answer 34

Lungs

Question 35

Which organ does the extreme tip of the tongue correspond with?

Answer 35

Heart

Question 36

Which organ does the root of the tongue correspond with?

Answer 36

Kidneys