Zang Fu Physiology & The 5 Elements Flashcards
Learn the Zang Organs, Fu Organs, and physiology of the channels
Are ZANG organs YIN or YANG?
YIN
Interior, solid, wife organs
What is the collective function of all Zang Organs?
The job of ZANG organs is to
MANUFACTURE and STORE the Essential Substances (Qi, Blood, Body Fluid)
Are FU organs YIN or YANG?
YANG
Exterior, hollow, husband organs
What is the collective function of all Fu Organs?
The job of FU organs is to
RECEIVE and DIGEST food, and to
TRANSPORT and EXCRETE waste
What do you call organs that are hollow, but their function is to STORE or CONSERVE the Essential Substances (Qi, Blood, Body Fluid)?
Extraordinary Fu Organs
What are the 6 Extraordinary Fu Organs?
Brain, Bone Marrow, Bones
Gallbladder, Uterus, Vessels
What is the only organ that is both a Fu Organ AND an Extraordinary Fu Organ?
Gallbladder
What are the 6 Zang Organs?
LIV - Wood
HT/PC - Fire
SP - Earth
LU - Metal
KID - Water
What are the 6 Fu Organs?
GB - Wood
SI/TH - Fire
ST - Earth
LI - Metal
BL - Water
What organ is considered KING of the ZANG Organs?
HEART
What organ dominates the blood and vessels?
HEART
What organ houses the Shen?
HEART
What organ controls sweating?
HEART
Shen disturbance is one of the major signs of _________ disease
HEART
Which organ is the “uppermost organ” and serves as the Prime Minister to the Heart?
LUNG
The _________ is the most delicate organ in the body.
LUNG
The worst enemy of the lung is ______________.
Pathogenic DRYNESS
What organ governs Qi?
LUNG
What organ governs Qi and Respiration?
LUNG
What organ acts like a canopy to protect and shelter all other organs?
LUNG
What organ dominates Ascending and Descending movement?
LUNG
What are the ascending functions of the Lung?
To distribute Wei Qi to the surface of the body and
To distribute Body Fluids to the surface of the body
What are the descending functions of the Lung?
Sends Qi down to the Kidney and
Sends Body Fluid down to the Kidney and Bladder
What organ regulates water passage?
LUNG
What organ controls the circulation and excretion of body fluid?
LUNG
What organ controls the surface of the whole body, skin and hair?
The LUNG
Forms a protective screen preventing Xie Qi invasion into the body
Qing Qi is also known as ________ Qi
Cosmic
Zong Qi is also known as _________ Qi
Pectoral
Zong Qi is formed from Qing Qi (Cosmic Qi) and _________ Qi
Gu Qi
Zong Qi (Pectoral Qi) = Qing Qi (Cosmic Qi) + Gu Qi (food Qi)
Where is Zong Qi formed?
In the chest/Lungs
What organ is known as the SEA of Qi?
Chest/Lungs
What organ is known as the Minister of the Food Department?
SPLEEN
What organ is known as the factory that GENERATES QI and BLOOD, which is essential for organ function?
SPLEEN
The Spleen generates ______ and _______
The Spleen generates QI and BLOOD
Which organ is known as the MOTHER of the ZANG ORGANS?
SPLEEN
Excess Qi and Blood produced by the Spleen can be transformed into ________ _________
Excess Qi and Blood produced by the Spleen can be transformed into
KIDNEY ESSENCE
Which organ is known as the ROOT of POSTNATAL Life?
The SPLEEN
Which organ prefers DRYNESS and dislikes DAMPNESS?
The SPLEEN HATES DAMP
Which organ governs Transportation and Transformation (YUN-HUA)?
The SPLEEN
The Spleen sends food waste to the __________
Small Intestine
The Spleen sends Gu Qi to which organ?
The LUNG
In normal conditions, Spleen Qi always ________, while Stomach Qi always ________.
Spleen Qi always ASCENDS
Stomach Qi always DESCENDS
Spleen Qi ascending flow in conjunction with Stomach Qi descending flow
forms the key pivot of Qi flow called _____ _____
The key pivot of Qi flow is called “Qi-Ji”
Which acupuncture point helps to maintain a normal Qi Ji (or normal spleen flow upwards and stomach flow downwards)?
ST-36
Helps normalize Zang-Fu organ functions
Which organ CONTROLS the blood, keeping blood circulating within the vessels and preventing extravasation?
The SPLEEN
Which organ DOMINATES the MUSCLES and the FOUR LIMBS?
The SPLEEN
This organ is known as the General, or the Commander of the Body
The LIVER
Stress (emotional or otherwise) is the greatest enemy of which organ?
The LIVER
Any stress can lead to Liver-Qi Stagnation
True or False? Liver Qi is never deficient, there can be a Liver BLOOD Deficiency or a Liver YIN Deficiency
TRUE
Which organ is responsible for STORING BLOOD according to Zang-Fu Physiology?
The LIVER
Which organ determines the body’s threshold for fatigue?
The LIVER
Which organ is responsible for regulating the blood volume in circulation according to Zang-Fu Physiology?
The LIVER
Which organ is responsible for regulating menstruation and the estrus cycle?
The LIVER
The _______ is responsible for maintaining the SMOOTH AND FREE FLOW OF QI
LIVER
Which organ CONTROLS THE SINEWS, influences the ligaments, tendons, nails, and hooves?
The LIVER
True or False: If a disorder of Liver Qi does occur, the Liver Qi is either EXCESSIVE or STAGNANT.
True
Which organ is known as the Minister of the Water Pathway?
The Kidney
This organ is known as the ROOT of PREnatal Life
The Kidney
True or False: If there is a disorder of the Kidney, it is almost always an EXCESS
FALSE!
If there is a disorder of the Kidney, it is almost always a DEFICIENCY.
Which organ is responsible for storing Jing (Essence)?
The Kidney
What are the 2 types of Jing (Essence)?
Congenital Jing
Acquired Jing
______ Jing is the foundation of life (genetic material), it nourishes the fetus before birth, and regulates development, growth, aging and reproduction after birth
Congenital Jing
______ Jing is extracted from Gu Qi (Food Qi) by the Spleen
Acquired Jing (Also called the Essence of Zang Fu)
Which organ is responsible for controlling the (human)
female 7-year cycle of growth and development and the
male 8-year cycle of growth and development?
The Kidney- via Congenital Jing
Which organ is responsible for GOVERNING Water Metabolism?
The Kidney
Which organ acts as a gate for water?
The Kidney
The ________ controls the RECEPTION of QI
Kidney
Which organ is responsible for HOLDING or PULLING Qi downwards from the Lung?
The Kidney
Which organ is responsible for INSPIRATION on breathing according to Zang Fu Physiology?
The KIDNEY!
The Kidney ______ bone, ________ marrow, and fills-up the brain.
The Kidney DOMINATES bone, PRODUCES marrow, and fills-up the brain.
Which organ is responsible for influencing the bones, joints, bone marrow, and spinal cord?
The KIDNEY
The ______ rules Blood and the _________ rules Qi
HEART rules Blood
LUNG rules Qi
True or False: Qi moves blood and blood carries Qi
True
Qi from the _____ is required to move blood from the heart.
Lung
This type of Qi is a combination of Heart Qi and Lung Qi
Zong-Qi
A weakness of _______ indicates a weakness of Zong-Qi
Voice
What type of Qi dominates respiration and promotes blood circulation?
Zong-Qi
According to the Ke Cycle, Fire (Heart) controls _________
Metal (Lung)
The ______ RULES blood while the ________ generates and holds blood
The HEART rules Blood
The Spleen generates and holds Blood
Lung Qi Deficiency can lead to ______ Qi Stagnation and eventually _______ Blood Stagnation.
Heart Qi Stagnation and Heart Blood Stagnation
Heart Qi or Heart Yang Deficiency can lead to disorders in _________ functions
LUNG
Spleen Qi deficiency can lead to Heart _____ deficiency
Heart Blood Deficiency
(palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, anxiety,
restlessness, dizziness, pale tongue or complexion)
Overwork or too much worry can lead to ______ Qi Deficiency
Spleen Qi Deficiency
(inappetence, diarrhea, fatigue, fullness in the abdomen)
The Spleen requires 2 types of Fire:
The _________ Fire (Heart Yang)
The _________ Fire (Kidney Yang)
The Spleen requires 2 types of Fire:
The EMPEROR’S Fire (Heart Yang)
The MINISTER’S Fire (Kidney Yang)
The _______ RULES blood while
the _______ STORES the blood and regulates its volume
The HEART RULES blood while
the LIVER STORES the blood and regulates its volume
A Global Blood Deficiency is when there is a blood deficiency in which 2 organs?
HEART Blood Deficiency +
LIVER Blood Deficiency
(pale, dry tongue, dry skin with dandruff, dry or cracked paws/hooves, abnormal behavior and/or disorientation)
In normal physiological conditions, the Heart Fire should go down to warm the _________.
Kidney
In normal physiological conditions, the Kidney Water rises up to cool the ________.
Heart
The relationship between Heart FIRE and Kidney WATER is known as ____ ____ ____ ____.
Xin Shen Xiang Jiao
Xin Shen BU Jiao is when there is a ________ between Heart Fire and Kidney Water.
Disconnection
As a result, too much heat in the heart and too much cold in the Kidney
(hyperactivity, restlessness, abnormal behavior, ulcers on tongue, impotence,
disorientation, weak and COLD hind limbs and back)
When Kidney ______ is weak, it fails to regulate water leading to water retention, and a frozen Heart
Kidney YANG
A frozen Heart results from a deficiency in Yang of which 2 organs?
HEART Yang Deficiency + KIDNEY Yang Deficiency = Frozen Heart
(Edema, arrhythmias, poor circulation, heart failure, purple tongue)
The Spleen generates ___ Qi while the ______ distributes Qi throughout the whole body
The Spleen generates GU-Qi while the LUNG distributes Qi throughout the whole body
When ______ Qi is deficient, the production and movement of Lung Qi is impaired.
When SPLEEN Qi is weak, the production and movement of Lung Qi is impaired.
(Lethargy, weak voice, weak panting, short of breath, weakness of limbs,
exercise intolerance, diarrhea, poor appetite)
When Spleen Qi deficient, fluids stagnate and develop into _______, which is stored in the _______.
Phlegm, which is stored in the LUNGS –> Coughing, Asthma
In health, _______ Qi moves upwards to help the lung EXHALE.
Liver Qi helps in EXHALATION
What is the ascending function of the lung?
EXHALATION
What is the descending function of the lung?
INHALATION
Which organ functions to prevent Liver Qi from aggressively or excessively rising?
The LUNG (descending function of inhalation)
When Liver Qi rises too much, it is known as _______ ______ _______, which transforms into FIRE.
Liver Yang Rising
(Red or dry eyes, dizziness, ANGER)
In Liver Qi Stagnation, the Qi Stagnation transforms into fire which disrupts
the _______ Yin.
In Liver Qi Stagnation, the Qi Stagnation transforms into fire which disrupts
the LUNG’s Yin (because fire melts metal)
(Dry cough, hemoptysis, asthma, episcleral injection, flushed skin, hyperactivity and ANGER)
Sustained Lung Heat overcontrols the ______ through the Cheng Cycle which results in _______ Qi Stagnation.
Sustained Lung Heat overcontrols the LIVER through the Cheng Cycle which results in LIVER Qi Stagnation.
(Cough, difficulty breathing, depression)
When Lung Qi is weak or deficient, the lung’s ability to send fluids down to the _______ and _______ is impaired.
When Lung Qi is weak or deficient, the lung’s ability to send fluids down to the KIDNEY and BLADDER is impaired.
Therefore Lung Qi deficiency can lead to Kidney Qi Deficiency
Urinary incontinence, edema, water retention, cough or asthma, and hindlimb weakness are all clinical signs of ________ _________ Deficiency
Kidney Qi Deficiency
In Kidney _____ Deficiency, there is an overall reduction of fluid in the Lower Jiao and the kidney cannot send adequate fluid to the Lung.
Kidney YIN Deficiency can lead to Lung YIN Deficiency
Dry throat in the evening or night, a dry, hacking cough, night panting, night sweating, and warm paws are all clinical signs of _____ ______ Deficiency
Lung Yin Deficiency
The ______ GOVERNS Qi while the _______ GRASPS Qi, holding it down.
The LUNG GOVERNS Qi while the KIDNEY GRASPS Qi, holding it down.
What clinical signs can you expect in an animal with Lung Qi Deficiency AND Kidney Qi Deficiency?
Shortness of breath, asthma, exercise intolerance, general fatigue, weakness of hind limbs and back.
What is the direction of flow for both Liver Qi and Spleen Qi?
UPWARDS
______ Qi is responsible for the flow of bile.
Liver Qi
_______ is stored in the Liver and
_______ is stored in the Kidney.
BLOOD is stored in the Liver and
JING is stored in the Kidney.
True or False: The origin of both Liver and Kidney is the same
True
True or False: The origin of both Blood and Jing is the same
True
The _______ is the root of PREnatal Jing while
The _______ is the root of POSTnatal Jing
KIDNEY- root of PREnatal Jing
SPLEEN- root of POSTnatal Jing
_____ _____ provides the fire or energy needed for the digestive and transformative properties controlled by the SPLEEN.
Kidney Yang (Ming-Men Fire)
When ____ Qi is deficient, this organ fails to transform and transport Body Fluid resulting in an accumulation of dampness.
SPLEEN Qi deficiency results in accumulation of dampness
______ ______ is the source of Global Body Fluid.
Kidney Yin is the source of Global Body Fluid (whole body Yin)
True or False: Kidney Yin nourishes the Liver Yin, Heart Yin, Spleen Yin, and Lung Yin.
True
Kidney Yang is the major source of ________ Yang
SPLEEN Yang
What organ most likely becomes deficient if Kidney Yang is deficient?
SPLEEN Yang Deficiency
(A chronic Spleen Yang Deficiency can also cause a Kidney Yang Deficiency)
Even though _____ Qi is NEVER DEFICIENT, Gallbladder Qi can be.
LIVER QI is never deficient!
What is the major clinical sign of Gallbladder Qi Deficiency?
The Inability to make a decision!!
Which Fu organ receives and digests food with a downward flow of Qi
Stomach
Which Fu organ extracts nutrients and transports them to the Spleen?
The STOMACH
Which 2 organs act in conjunction and are the main organs responsible for digestion and absorption.
Stomach and Spleen
Which 2 organs are considered the origin of Qi and Blood?
Stomach and Spleen
Which 2 organs are known as the ACQUIRED FOUNDATION?
Stomach and Spleen
Which Fu organ is responsible for separating ingesta into clean and turbid parts?
Small Intestine
The Small Intestine sends the CLEAN ingesta to the _______ and _______.
Spleen and Lung
The Small Intestine sends the TURBID ingesta to the ______, ______, and ______.
Large Intestine, Kidney, and Bladder.
Which channel does SAN-JIAO refer to?
Triple Heater
San-Jiao (Triple Heater) is the general pathway for distributing ______ Qi and Body Fluid.
YUAN Qi (Source Qi) and Body Fluid
San-Jiao (Triple Heater) governs ____ activity and acts as a passageway for transport of nutrients, water, and excreta
Qi Activity
The UPPER Jiao contains these two organs, and is located from the Head to the Diaphragm
Heart and Lungs
The ______ Jiao governs the digestive and absorptive functions of the Stomach and Spleen, and is located from the Diaphragm to the navel.
Middle Jiao
Which organs are included in the LOWER Jiao which is located from the navel to the rear feet?
KID, BL, SI, LI
Which extraordinary Fu Organ is known as “The Sea of Marrow”?
The Brain
Which extraordinary Fu Organ is known as “The House of the Mind and Spirit”?
The Brain
Which extraordinary Fu Organ originates from Kidney Essence (Jing)?
The MARROW originates from Kidney Jing
Which extraordinary Fu Organ is known as “The House of Blood”?
The VESSELS
This organ is hollow like a regular Fu organ, however, it stores bile and functions like a Zang organ.
The Gallbladder
Which extraordinary Fu Organ is responsible for controlling estrus, pregnancy, and nourishment of the fetus?
The UTERUS
