ZANG FU - LUNGS

Vocabulary flashcards covering key Lung-related terms, patterns, and concepts from the notes on Chapter 2: Lung Disease Patterns.

The uppermost zang-fu organ in the chest; a delicate organ that governs qi, opens to the nose, connects with the exterior through it’s channel system, and coordinates the body's surface and Heart function; spirit is the corporeal soul (po) and its emotions include sadness.

Lung

Gathering qi (zong qi)

Qi formed by the Lung that gathers qi from the environment and distributes it to the whole body to support respiration and activity.

Corporeal soul (po)

The Lung’s spirit; associated with sadness, worry, and grief. It reflects the physical aspect of the soul and is connected to the body's health and emotional well-being. Acts as a vital aspect of spiritual and emotional balance.

Wei qi (protective qi)

Protective qi that defends the body on the surface, warms the body, and fights pathogens; works with the Lung to protect exterior.

Ying qi (nutritive qi)

Nourishing qi circulating inside the body; supports tissues and organs and interacts with Lung qi.

Exopathogenic factors

External pathogens that cause disease patterns; wind, heat, cold, dryness, dampness, and summer-heat.

Wind-Cold Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Exterior pattern where wind-cold attacks the Lung, disrupting dispersing/descending function; cough with thin, clear sputum; chills and fever; superficial pulse.

Wind-Heat Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Exterior pattern where wind-heat attacks the Lung, causing cough with sticky yellow sputum, fever, thirst, sore throat; red tip of tongue with thin yellow coating; superficial pulse.

Dryness Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Exterior dryness attacking the Lung, injuring Lung yin; dry cough with scanty sputum; dry mouth; thirst; fever with mild chills; superficial pulse.

Wind-Water Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Exterior wind attack with dampness causing edema; edema starting at the eyelids and spreading; difficulty urinating; white tongue coating; superficial pulse. other signs include

Cold Invading the Lung

Exterior cold directly attacking the Lung; cough with thin white sputum; pale tongue; deep and slow pulse; chills; usually no fever. Other signs include nasal congestion, aversion to cold, and possible headache.

Heat Congesting the Lung

Interior excess heat congesting the Lung; cough and panting; high fever; chest oppression; red tongue with yellow coating; rapid pulse; possible purulent sputum.

Cold-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung

Cold invading Lung with phlegm; Lung qi rebels; cough with white sputum; dyspnea; chest oppression; pale tongue; deep pulse.

Heat-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung

Interior heat with phlegm obstructing Lung; productive cough with thick yellow sputum; chest oppression; red tongue with yellow coating; slippery, rapid pulse.

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung

Phlegm due to dampness obstructing Lung; heaviness in chest; productive cough with thick, white sputum; slippery pulse; sticky tongue coating.

Dry-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung

Phlegm due to dryness obstructing Lung; dry cough with scanty sputum; dryness signs (dry mouth, throat); red tongue with dry coating; rapid or tight pulse.

Turbid Phlegm Obstructing the Lung

Phlegm that is turbid and viscous obstructing Lung; umbrella term for subtypes including Heat-Phlegm, Cold-Phlegm, Damp-Phlegm, and Dry-Phlegm.

Lung Qi Deficiency Pattern

Hypofunction of the Lung; feeble cough and panting with exertion; copious thin sputum; shortness of breath; aversion to speaking; weak voice; fatigue; spontaneous sweating; pale tongue with thin coating; weak pulse.

Lung Yin Deficiency Pattern

Lung yin deficiency leading to dry cough with scanty sputum; dry mouth/throat; night sweats; five-center heat; red tongue with scanty coating; thin rapid pulse.

Exterior Dryness Invading the Lung

Exterior dryness attacking the Lung; dryness injures Lung yin; fever with aversion to cold; dry cough; dry mouth; minimal sweating; superficial pulse.

Dryness Invading the Lung vs Lung Yin Deficiency

Compare acute exterior dryness (short course, exterior signs) with chronic interior Yin deficiency (long course, deficiency heat signs, tongue/pulse differences).

What is the primary function of the Lung regarding Qi?

The Lung governs Qi, forming gathering qi (zong qi) that collects environmental qi and distributes it body-wide for respiration and activity.

The Corporeal Soul (po) is the spirit associated with the , and its emotions include , , and _.

Lung; sadness; worry; grief

Which type of Qi works with the Lung to protect the exterior, defend the body's surface, and contribute to warming?

Wei qi (protective qi)

What are the common exopathogenic factors that lead to Lung patterns?

Wind, heat, cold, dryness, dampness, and summer-heat.

Describe the key manifestations of Wind-Cold Invading the Lung.

Cough with thin, clear sputum; chills and fever; superficial pulse. It disrupts the Lung's dispersing/descending function.

A patient presents with cough producing sticky yellow sputum, fever, thirst, and a sore throat. Their tongue has a red tip with a thin yellow coating, and the pulse is superficial. What Lung pattern is indicated?

Wind-Heat Invading the Lung

What characterizes Dryness Invading the Lung?

Exterior dryness attacking the Lung, injuring Lung yin; symptoms include dry cough with scanty sputum, dry mouth, thirst, fever with mild chills, and a superficial pulse. (Also presents with fever with aversion to cold and minimal sweating.)

A patient develops edema starting at the eyelids and spreading, difficulty urinating, and has a white tongue coating with a superficial pulse. What external Lung pattern does this suggest?

Wind-Water Invading the Lung

What are the defining symptoms of Cold Invading the Lung, which usually lacks fever?

Cough with thin white sputum; pale tongue; deep and slow pulse; chills.

Heat Congesting the Lung is an interior excess pattern. What are its main signs and symptoms?

Cough and panting; high fever; chest oppression; red tongue with yellow coating; rapid pulse; possible purulent sputum.

Identify the Lung pattern with the following: cough with white sputum, dyspnea, chest oppression, pale tongue, and deep pulse.

Cold-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung (Lung qi rebels due to cold invading along with phlegm).

When interior heat combines with phlegm obstructing the Lung, what diagnostic signs might be present?

Productive cough with thick yellow sputum; chest oppression; red tongue with yellow coating; slippery, rapid pulse (Heat-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung).

What type of phlegm pattern is characterized by heaviness in the chest, productive cough with thick, white sputum, a slippery pulse, and a sticky tongue coating?

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung

Turbid Phlegm Obstructing the Lung is an umbrella term encompassing which subtypes?

Heat-Phlegm, Cold-Phlegm, Damp-Phlegm, and Dry-Phlegm.

Describe the signs of Lung Qi Deficiency Pattern.

Hypofunction of the Lung, leading to feeble cough and panting with exertion; copious thin sputum; shortness of breath; aversion to speaking; weak voice; fatigue; spontaneous sweating; pale tongue with thin coating; weak pulse.

A patient experiences a dry cough with scanty sputum, dry mouth/throat, night sweats, five-center heat, and a red tongue with scanty coating and a thin rapid pulse. What Lung deficiency pattern is this?

Lung Yin Deficiency Pattern

Distinguish between Dryness Invading the Lung and Lung Yin Deficiency.

Dryness Invading the Lung is acute exterior dryness with a short course and exterior signs (fever with aversion to cold, superficial pulse), while Lung Yin Deficiency is chronic interior Yin deficiency with a longer course and deficiency heat signs (night sweats, five-center heat, red tongue with scanty coating, thin rapid pulse).

Wind-Water Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Exterior wind combined with dampness attacks the Lung, impairing its dispersing and descending functions and disrupting the water passages, leading to the accumulation of fluid and edema.

Key Signs

• Edema, typically starting at the eyelids and spreading to the rest of the body.

• Difficulty urinating (oliguria).

Other Possible Signs

• Fever and aversion to cold.

• Headache.

• Cough with clear or white sputum.

• Nasal congestion.

• Body aches.

Tongue

• White coating.

Pulse

• Superficial.

Wind-Cold Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Exterior wind-cold attacks the Lung, causing contraction of the exterior and impairing the Lung's dispersing and descending functions.

Key Signs

• Cough with thin, clear sputum.

• Chills and fever (often mild).

• Superficial and tight pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Stuffy nose.

• Sneezing.

• Headache and body aches.

• Absence of thirst.

Tongue

• Thin white coating.

Pulse

• Superficial (floating) and tight.

Wind-Heat Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Exterior wind-heat invades the Lung, affecting its dispersing and descending functions, leading to heat symptoms.

Key Signs

• Cough with sticky yellow sputum.

• Fever.

• Thirst and sore throat.

• Red tip of tongue with thin yellow coating.

• Superficial and rapid pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Slight aversion to cold.

• Headache.

• Nasal congestion with yellow discharge.

• Sweating.

Tongue

• Red tip with thin yellow coating.

Pulse

• Superficial and rapid.

Dryness Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Exterior dryness invades the Lung, drying up its fluids, injuring Lung Yin, and impairing its moistening function.

Key Signs

• Dry cough with scanty or no sputum.

• Dry mouth and thirst.

• Fever with mild chills.

• Superficial pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Dry throat and nose.

• Hoarse voice.

• Minimal sweating.

• Aversion to cold.

Tongue

• Red tip with dry or scanty coating.

Pulse

• Superficial, rapid, or tight.

Wind-Water Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Exterior wind combined with dampness attacks the Lung, impairing its dispersing and descending functions and disrupting the water passages, leading to the accumulation of fluid and edema.

Key Signs

• Edema, typically starting at the eyelids and spreading to the rest of the body.

• Difficulty urinating (oliguria).

Other Possible Signs

• Fever and aversion to cold.

• Headache.

• Cough with clear or white sputum.

• Nasal congestion.

• Body aches.

Tongue

• White coating.

Pulse

• Superficial.

Cold Invading the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Direct invasion of cold into the Lung, often without a significant exterior wind component. Impairs the Lung's ability to disperse and descend, leading to stagnation of fluids.

Key Signs

• Cough with thin white sputum.

• Pale tongue.

• Deep and slow pulse.

• Chills (usually no fever).

Other Possible Signs

• Nasal congestion.

• Aversion to cold.

• Headache.

• Chest oppression.

• Absence of thirst.

Tongue

• Pale with white coating.

Pulse

• Deep and slow.

Heat Congesting the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Interior heat (from unresolved exterior heat or internal fire) stagnates and congests the Lung, impairing its dispersing and descending function, leading to inflammation and accumulation.

Key Signs

• Cough and panting.

• High fever.

• Chest oppression.

• Red tongue with yellow coating.

• Rapid pulse.

• Possible purulent sputum.

Other Possible Signs

• Thirst.

• Constipation.

• Nasal flaring.

• Facial redness.

Tongue

• Red with yellow coating (possibly thick, greasy yellow).

Pulse

• Rapid and full (or slippery if phlegm is prominent).

Cold-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Cold and phlegm accumulate in the Lung, obstructing its Qi flow, impairing dispersing and descending functions, and causing Lung Qi to rebel upwards.

Key Signs

• Cough with profuse white, watery sputum.

• Dyspnea.

• Chest oppression.

• Pale tongue.

• Deep pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Cold limbs.

• Aversion to cold.

• Dizziness.

• Heaviness in the head.

• No thirst.

Tongue

• Pale with white, moist (wet) coating.

Pulse

• Deep, slow, and slippery.

Heat-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Heat congeals fluids into phlegm, or heat combines with existing phlegm, obstructing the Lung's function and causing Lung Qi to rebel.

Key Signs

• Productive cough with thick yellow sputum.

• Chest oppression.

• Red tongue with yellow coating.

• Slippery, rapid pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Shortness of breath.

• Wheezing.

• Thirst.

• Bitter taste in mouth.

• Irritability.

Tongue

• Red with thick, yellow, greasy coating.

Pulse

• Slippery and rapid.

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Spleen dysfunction leads to internal dampness, which transforms into phlegm and obstructs the Lung, impairing its dispersing and descending functions.

Key Signs

• Heaviness in the chest.

• Productive cough with thick, white, easily expectorated sputum.

• Slippery pulse.

• Sticky tongue coating.

Other Possible Signs

• Sensation of phlegm in the throat.

• Poor appetite.

• Fatigue.

• Nausea.

• Dizziness.

Tongue

• Pale with thick, white, greasy coating.

Pulse

• Slippery.

Dry-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Dryness injures Lung fluids, leading to a congealing of scanty fluids into dry, difficult-to-expectorate phlegm, obstructing the Lung.

Key Signs

• Dry cough with scanty, sticky, difficult-to-expectorate phlegm.

• Dry mouth and throat.

• Red tongue with dry coating.

• Rapid or tight pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Hoarse voice.

• Thirst.

• Sensation of dryness in the airways.

Tongue

• Red with dry coaching (or minimal, dry coating).

Pulse

• Rapid and thin; or tight and rapid.

Turbid Phlegm Obstructing the Lung (general description)

Definition

This is an umbrella term for various types of phlegm that are thick, murky, and obstruct the Lung. The specific manifestations depend on the underlying cause.

Subtypes

• Heat-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung.

• Cold-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung.

• Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung.

• Dry-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung.

General Signs (specifics vary by subtype)

• Cough with sputum.

• Chest oppression.

• Dyspnea.

Lung Qi Deficiency Pattern (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Insufficient Lung Qi leads to diminished function in governing Qi, respiration, and fluid metabolism; the Wei Qi is also weakened.

Key Signs

• Feeble cough and panting with exertion.

• Copious thin sputum.

• Shortness of breath upon exertion.

• Aversion to speaking and weak voice.

• Fatigue and spontaneous sweating.

• Pale tongue with thin coating.

• Weak pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Susceptibility to colds and clear nasal discharge.

• Lack of strength.

Tongue

• Pale with thin white coating.

Pulse

• Weak (possibly empty).

Lung Yin Deficiency Pattern (pattern & signs)

Pathomechanism

Insufficient Lung Yin leads to a lack of moistening and nourishment, causing dryness and internal empty heat in the Lung.

Key Signs

• Dry cough with scanty or sticky sputum.

• Dry mouth and throat.

• Night sweats.

• Five-center heat (hot palms, soles, and chest).

• Red tongue with scanty or no coating.

• Thin, rapid pulse.

Other Possible Signs

• Hoarse voice.

• Flushed cheeks.

• Low-grade afternoon fever.

Tongue

• Red with scanty or no coating (possibly a peeled tongue).

Pulse

• Thin and rapid.

Dryness Invading the Lung vs Lung Yin Deficiency

Dryness Invading the Lung

• Nature: Acute exterior dryness.

• Course: Short course.

• Signs: Exterior signs like fever with aversion to cold, dry cough, dry mouth, minimal sweating, superficial pulse.

Lung Yin Deficiency

• Nature: Chronic interior Yin deficiency.

• Course: Long course.

• Signs: Deficiency heat signs like night sweats, five-center heat, dry cough, red tongue with scanty coating, thin rapid pulse.

What are the primary governing, controlling, dispersing, and descending functions of the Lung?

The Lung governs Qi (氣) and respiration. It controls the hundred vessels (百脈), influencing blood circulation. It governs the skin and body hair. The Lung also governs dispersing (distributing Wei Qi and body fluids) and descending (directing Qi and fluids downwards).

Which season is primarily associated with the Lung in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Autumn (秋).

What bodily fluids are primarily associated with the Lung in TCM?

Nasal discharge, sweat (as it controls the exterior and pores), and phlegm (when its fluid metabolism is impaired).

Which of the Five Elements is associated with the Lung organ?

Metal (金).

What is the Fu organ directly paired with the Lung in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

The Large Intestine (大腸).

In TCM, what is the Lung's metaphorical "government official" role?

The Lung is known as the "Minister and Regulator" or "Prime Minister" (相傅之官), overseeing the distribution and regulation of Qi (氣) throughout the body, similar to a prime minister managing a nation.

Describe the inherent nature of the Lung and the primary exopathogenic factor it is most susceptible to.

The Lung is considered a "delicate organ" (嬌臟) due to its vulnerability to external influences. It is most susceptible to Wind (風), which often combines with other factors like cold, heat, or dryness, and generally dislikes dryness and cold.

How does Lung Qi influence fluid metabolism and its relationship with the blood?

Lung Qi plays a critical role in fluid metabolism by assisting in the dispersion of fluids to the skin and the descent of fluids to the Kidneys. By governing Qi, it also impacts the smooth circulation of blood, as Qi is the commander of blood (氣為血之帥).

Explain the essential interrelationship between the Lung and the Kidneys in TCM.

The Lung's dispersing and descending functions send pure Qi and fluids downwards, while the Kidneys are responsible for "grasping" the Qi to ensure smooth respiration. This connection (肺腎相生) is fundamental for both breathing and water metabolism.

Describe the dynamic relationship between the Lung and the Heart in TCM regarding Qi (氣) and Blood (血).

The Lung governs Qi, which is paramount for the Heart's function of propelling blood. The Lung ensures proper distribution of Qi, supporting the Heart's circulation. Conversely, the Heart's blood provides nourishment to the Lung tissues and ensures its proper functioning.