wk4 - tongues intro

Question 1

T or F: tongue diagnosis is more reliable than pulse.

Answer 1

true

(bc tongues are easier to get an objective consensus on whereas pulses are subject to change quickly, pulses are subjective, and pulses are difficult to learn)

Question 2

T or F: tongue coat changes more rapidly than tongue body

Answer 2

true

(tongue coat more prone to change for acute conditions – e.g. cold can be reflected on tongue in a reasonably short amount of time)

Question 3

T or F: tongue coat reflects condition of stomach

Answer 3

true

coat reflects steaming of stomach fluids

Question 4

what are some parameters for evaluating tongue body?

Answer 4

• color
• shape (thickness, length, width, pointedness or lack thereof)
• moisture
• thickness
• geography
• motility (how easily it extends)
• uncontrolled movement
• deviation
• SLV

Question 5

what are some parameters for evaluating tongue coat?

Answer 5

• color
• thickness
• moisture (e.g. dry, greasy)
• consistency
• rootedness

Question 6

what does a normal tongue look like?

Answer 6

• spirited, light red, moist
• fits comfortably, not thin & not thick
• no scalloping
• reasonably smooth (no cracks), normal spots
• thin with coat that is rooted, moist, and consistent in color & thickness
• moves with intention, moves with ease, pliable & flexible
• reasonably symmetrical & normally shaped
• no distension of SLV

Question 7

what is the tongue geography we’ll be using for this class?

Answer 7

tip = HT
beyond tip = LU
center = ST/SP
pt's right = GB
pt's left = LV
back = KD & SI/UB/LI