Extraordinary Organ

A brief introduction to the brain and the uterus as extraordinary organs is given as follows:

1. Brain
As early as in the book Neijing there were descriptions of the brain, one of which is as follows: “The brain is a sea of marrow. Its upper part is under the scalp of the vertex, point Baihui (Du 20) and its lower part reaches point Fengfu (Du 16).” Subsequently a further understanding of the brain was obtained; that is, it was recognized in Yixue Yuanshi (Origin of Medical Science) that “the sense organs, i.e., the ears, eyes, mouth, and nose, are in the head close to the brain. Owing to their highest and most obvious position, they may perceive objects, which will impress the brain directly and remain in the brain”. Also it was suggested in Yilin Gaicuo (Medical Correction) that thinking and memorization are the main function of the brain. As mentioned previously, the essence of the kidney produces marrow that forms the brain. The filling of the “sea” of marrow depends on the essence of the kidney. Furthermore, the heart, which houses the mind, and the liver, which dominates the unrestraint and patency of vital functions, are also related to mental activities. A tenet of traditional Chinese medicine, therefore, is that mental activity is dominated by various organs, the heart being the main one.

2. Uterus
The function of the uterus is to preside over menstruation and nourish the fetus. Internal organs and channels related to the function of the uterus are as follows:

1. Kidney. The uterus is connected with the kidney, and only when the essence of the kidney is ample can the menstrual period recur regularly, and the impregnation and growth of the fetus be possible.
2. Liver. The liver performs the function of storing blood and regulating the volume of circulating blood, which is also responsible for normal menstruation.
3. Ren Channel and Chong Channel. Both originate in the uterus. The Ren Channel regulates the functions of all the yin channels and nourishes the fetus. The Chong Channel has the function of regulating the qi and blood of the twelve regular channels. The qi and blood of the twelve regular channels pass into the uterus through the two channels, affecting the amount of menstrual flow and its cycle.

Fu Organs ( Small intestine, Gall Bladder, Stomach, Large Intestine, Urinary Bladder, Sanjiao )

1. Small intestine
The small intestine is situated in the abdomen, its upper end connected by the pylorus with the stomach and its lower end communicating with the large intestine through the ileocecum. Its channel connects with the heart, with which it is externally-internally related. Its main function is to receive and temporarily store partially digested food in the stomach. Further digesting the food and absorbing the essential substance and a part of the water in food, the small intestine transfers the residues with a considerable amount of fluid to the large intestine.

2. Gall bladder
The gall bladder is attached to the liver, with which its channel connects and with which it is externally-internally related. Its main function is to store bile and continuously excrete it to the intestines to help digestion. This function of the gall bladder is closely related to the function of the liver in promoting patency of vital energy. It is therefore said that the liver and gall bladder preside over the unrestraint and patency of vital energy.

3. Stomach
The stomach is situated in the epigastrium, its upper outlet connected by the cardia with the esophagus, and its lower outlet communicating with the small intestine through the pylorus. Its channel connects with the spleen, with which it is externally-internally related. Its main function is to receive and decompose food. That is to say, the stomach receives and temporarily stores the food mass coming from the mouth through the esophagus while partially digesting it and then sending it downward to the small intestine. That is why the function of the stomach is normal when its qi is descending and abnormal when its qi is ascending. The stomach and spleen act in co-operation and are the main organs carrying on the functions of digestion and absorption. It is said that the spleen and stomach are the source of health.

4. Large intestine
The large intestine is situated in the abdomen, its upper end connected with the small intestine by the ileocecum and its lower end communicating with the exterior of the body through the anus. Its channel connects with the lung, with which it is externally-internally related. The main function of the large intestine is to receive the waste material sent down from the small intestine and, in the process of transporting it to the anus, absorb a part of its fluid content and then turn it into feces to be excreted by the body.

5. Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is situated in the lower abdomen. Its channel connects with the kidney, with which it is externally-internally related. Its main function is the temporary storage of urine and its discharge from the body when a certain amount has accumulated. This function of the urinary bladder is accomplished with the assistance of the qi (function) of the kidney.

6. Sanjiao
The channel of sanjiao connects with the pericardium with which it is externally-internally related. Sanjiao is not a substantial organ, but a generalization of part of the functions of some of the zang-fu organs located in different sections of the body cavity.

Sanjiao is divided into three parts:

1. Upper jiao (portion) (representing the chest) is a generalization of the function of the heart and lung in transporting qi and blood to nourish various parts of the body. It is like an all-pervading vapour.
2. Middle jiao (portion) (representing the epigastrium) is a generalization of the function of the spleen and stomach in digesting and absorption. This may be compared to soaking things in water to cause decomposition and dissolution of substances.
3. Lower jiao (portion) (representing the hypogastrium) is a generalization of functions of the kidney and urinary bladder in controlling water metabolism as well as storage and excretion of urine. It is like an aqueduct, a pathway for the flowing of water.

Kidney - The Zang Organ

The kidney locates at either side of the lumbus. Its channel connects with the urinary bladder, with which it is externally-internally related. It opens into the ear.

1. Storing essence and dominating reproduction, growth and development. The essence in the kidney, also referred to as the yin of the kidney, consists of two parts: congenital essence inherited from the parents and acquired essence transformed from the essential substances of food. The vital essence of the kidney is an important aspect of the qi (vital functions) of the kidney, greatly influencing the function of the kidney in reproduction, growth and development. Neijing gives a precise description of the physiological function of the kidney in the process of birth, growth, full development and senility: At the age of about 14 for women and 16 for men, the qi of the kidney flourishes. Women will have the onset of menstruation, and men will have seminal emission, both signifying the power of reproduction. When women reach the age of 28 and men around 32, the qi of the kidney is at its height, the body grows and develops, reaching the prime of life. When women reach the age of 49 and men around 64, the qi of the kidney starts to decline, the body begins to wither and at the same time the function of reproduction gradually fails.
2. Producing marrow, forming up the brain, dominating the bones and manufacturing blood. The kidney stores essence which can produce marrow (including spinal cord and bone marrow). The upper part of the spinal cord connects with the brain, while the bone marrow nourishes the bones and manufactures blood. The supply to the brain, the solidity of the bones, and the adequacy of the blood are therefore all closely related to the condition of the essence of the kidney.
3. Dominating water metabolism. The part of fluid sent down by the descending function of the lung reaches the kidney. There it is divided by the yang function of the kidney into two parts: clear and turbid. The clear fluid (i.e., the part which is useful) is retained, and the turbid (i.e., the waste part) flows into the urinary bladder to form urine which is excreted.
4. Receiving qi (air). Respiration is accomplished mainly by the lung, but the kidney helps through its function of controlling reception of qi (air). The distribution of the clean qi inhaled by the lung to the whole body depends not only on the descending function of the lung but also on the kidney’s function of reception and control.
5. Opening into the ear. The auditory function is dependent upon the nourishment from the qi of the kidney. Deafness in aged people is mainly due to deficiency of the qi of the kidney.

Spleen - The Zang Organ

The chanel of the spleen connects with the stomach, relating the spleen externally-internally to the stomach. It opens into the mouth. The main physiological functions of the spleen are governing transportation and transformation, controlling blood and dominating the muscles.

1. Governing transportation and transformation. Transportation implies transmission. Transformation implies digestion and absorption. The splee has the function of digesting food, absorbing its essential substances with a part of the fluid supplied, and transmitting them to the heart and the lung from where they are sent to nourish the whole body. Normal functioning of the spleen is required for good appetite, normal digestion and absorption, good nourishment and normal transmission of fluid.
2. Controlling blood. The spleen has the function of keeping the blood circulating inside the vessels and preventing it from extravasations.
3. Dominating the muscles. Normal functioning of the spleen in transportation and transformation enables the muscles to receive adequate nourishment from the food essentials and thus maintains muscle thickness and strength.
4. Opening into the mouth. The spleen and the mouth co-ordinate functionally in receiving, transporting and transforming food. When the function of the spleen in governing transportation and transformation is normal, the appetite will be good and the lips will be red and lustrous.
5. The qi of the spleen has the further function of holding and keeping the internal organs in their normal positions.

Liver - The Zang Organ

The liver is situated in the right hypochondriac region, its channel connecting with the gall bladder relating it externally-internally with the gall bladder. The liver opens into the eye. Its main physiological functions are storing blood, maintaining patency for the flow of qi (vital function), and controlling the tendons.

(1) Storing blood. The liver possesses the function of storing blood and regulating the volume of circulating blood. During rest, part of the blood remains in the liver, while during vigorous activity blood is released from the liver to increase the volume of blood in circulation to the required amount. The liver, therefore, along with the heart, supplies the tissues and organs with blood, and it influences menstruation as well.

(2) Maintaining patency for the flow of qi (vital functions) means that the liver is responsible for harmonious and unobstructed functional activities of the human body, including the following three aspects:

a. The Liver is related to emotional activities, especially depression and anger. Prolonged mental depression or a fit of anger may weaken the liver so that it is unable to promote the unrestrained and free flow of qi. Conversely, dysfunction of the liver is often accompanied by emotional changes such as mental depression and irascibility.
b. The harmonious and free-flowing functional activity of the liver promotes the functioning of the other zang-fu organs, channels and collaterals, especially those of the spleen and stomach in digestion and absorption.
c. This function of the liver also affects bile secretion, it storage in the gall bladder and excretion into the intestines.

(3) Controlling the tendons. The yin and blood of the liver nourish the tendons, keeping them in a normal state of contraction and relaxation. When the liver is supplied with ample yin and blood, the tendons are strong and free in extension and flexion.
(4) Opening itu the eye. Each zang-fu organ has certain influence on the function of the eye. However, because the liver stores blood and its channel directly communicates with the eye, it has a closer relation to ocular function, such as vision and movement of the eye, than other zang-fu organs.

Heart - The Zang Organs

The channel of the heart, located in the thorax, leads to the small intestine, and heart is thus externally and internally related to the small intestine. (Each zang organ is linked with a fu organ by a channel, a situation known as external-internal relation.) The heart also opens into the tongue. (Each zang organ opens into a sense organe which indicates a close structural or physiological and pathological relationship between the internal organs and the sense organs.) The main physiological functions of the heart are controlling blood and vessels and housing the mind.

1. Controlling blood and vessels. Vessels are the site of blood containment and circulation, the impulse of the heart sending blood incessantly through the vessels to nourish the whole body. When blood supply is sufficient and blood circulation normal, the complexion will be rosy and lustrous, and vitality full. The tissues and organs are well nourished and function properly.
2. Housing the mind. The heart is considered the main organ governing mental activities and generalizing the physiological function of the brain. Spirit, consciousness, memory, thinking and sleep are well dominated by this function of the heart. The two function of the heart have a mutual effect and correlation. According to Neijing: “The heart dominates the vessels and the vessels supply the mind.”
3. Opening into the tongue. The two functions of the heart, i.e., controlling blood and vessels and housing the mind, are closely related to the color, form, motility, and sense of taste of the tongue. This is also expressed as “the tongue is the mirror of the heart”.

ZANG-FU (Internal Organs)

The term zang-fu in traditional Chinese medicine refers to the gross anatomical entities of the internal organs. At the same time, it is also a generalization of the physiological functions of the human body. The heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and pericardium grouped together are known as the six zang organs. Their main physiological functions are manufacturing and storing essential substances including vital essence, qi (vital energy), blood and body fluid. The small intestine, gall bladder, stomach, large intestine, urinary bladder and sanjiao are known collectively as the six fu organs. Their main functions are to receive and digest food, absorb nutrient substances, and transmit and excrete wastes. There are in addition extraordinary fu organs including the brain and the uterus.

The zang organs are different in function from the fu, but the difference is only relative. In physiological activities, astructural and functional connection as well as co-ordination exists not only among the zang and the fu organs as separate entities, but also among the zang and the fu organs collectively, and even among the zang-fu organs on the one hand and the five sense organs and five tissues on the other. The theory of zang-fu taking the five zang organs (six including the pericardium) as core explains the peculiarity of traditional Chinese medicine, i.e. the concept of regarding the body as an integral whole physiologically and pathologically.