Week 1 - Pulses Defined by Form

Question 1

Describe the normal pulse

Answer 1

• Found at all 3 levels, but primarily in the middle level
• Found at all 3 positions
• 70-90 bpm / 4 beats per breath
• has ST Qi / evenness, regularity, rhythm
• has moderate size, neither long nor short
• has spirit
• has root / evenness left to right

Question 2

What are the pulses primarily defined by form?

Answer 2

Small
Large
Long
Short
Wiry

Question 3

Describe a small pulse

Answer 3

1/2 diameter of normal pulse

Question 4

What pathologies are associated with a small pulse?

Answer 4

blood & yin deficiency, possibly Qi deficiency, damp accumulation

Question 5

Describe a large pulse

Answer 5

2x diameter of normal pulse

Question 6

What pathologies are associated with a large pulse?

Answer 6

Excess/repletion or
Qi vacuity
Yin vacuity

Question 7

A large pulse can indicate either an _____ or ______ pattern, which can be distinguished by the ____ of the pulse

Answer 7

excess/repletion
deficiency/vacuity
force

Question 8

Describe a wiry pulse

Answer 8

• small/thin diameter
• straight / lacks contour
• inflexible / hard / taut
• has force

Question 9

What pathologies are associated with a wiry pulse?

Answer 9

LV excess - stagnation, pain

Question 10

Describe a long pulse

Answer 10

reaches beyond the 3 positions

Question 11

What pathologies are associated with a long pulse?

Answer 11

excess blood, yang

Question 12

Describe a short pulse

Answer 12

not felt at all 3 positions

Question 13

What pathologies are associated with a short pulse?

Answer 13

Vacuity patterns

Question 14

What are the 6 general types of pulses?

Answer 14

Fu - Superficial - 浮
Chen - Deep - 沉
Chi - Slow - 遲
Shuo - Rapid - 数
Xu - Deficiency - 虛
Shi - Excess - 實

Question 15

A small pulse generally indicates vacuity except in the case of _______

Answer 15

Damp accumulation