wk5 - tongue shape Flashcards
(44 cards)
T or F: fluid pathologies are reflected in the tongue after a long time, as they develop.
true
what pathologies are generally associated with a thin tongue?
deficiencies:
- fluid, blood & yin deficiency
- qi deficiency
what does a thin tongue with blood deficiency look like?
- thin
- pale or orange body (orange = long term)
- dry
what does a thin tongue with yin deficiency look like?
- thin
- red body
- dry
what does a thin tongue with early stage qi deficiency look like? (color & moisture)
- thin
- pale
- normal moisture (bc early stage)
what pathologies are generally associated with a thick tongue?
- excess damp or phlegm
- could also be long term vacuity:
> late stage SP qi vacuity
> late stage KD or SP yang vacuity
what does a late stage SP qi deficiency tongue look like? (thickness & moisture)
thick & wet
what does a late stage SP or KD yang deficiency tongue look like? (thickness & moisture)
thick & wet
T or F: swelling alone does not indicate whether it’s an excess or vacuity condition
true
what does swelling in the upper jiao area indicate?
- exterior invasion that has moved internally after a couple days (e.g. cold)
- will most likely see it in the LU position; not the HT position
what does swelling in the middle jiao area indicate?
- longer term ST/SP vacuity with beginning of damp accumulation (very organ-specific)
- sides of tongue may seem very thin
what does swelling in the lower jiao area indicate?
- damp heat in the lower jiao (e.g. damp heat in the LI or UB)
- happens to women more frequently (e.g. UTI’s)
what does swelling along the sides (or one side) indicate?
- if both sides swollen = damp accumulation
- if left side swollen = damp heat, intense LV fire
what does “false swelling” look like?
- looks double-mounded
- either center crack is so deep it that it looks like both sides are swollen (but it ‘s really just one swelling with a crack in the middle)
- or, it’s not swollen at all but the center crack is so deep that it appears swollen
what does swelling of both sides indicate?
- first, assess origin by looking at color & moisture
- if red & damp = damp heat
- if scarlet & dry = fire
what does overall swelling with scallops indicate?
- late stage qi vacuity
- scallops bc tongue is too big, and is pressing up against teeth
- scallops help us assess how long term the situation is
T or F: hammerhead shape of tongue is NOT considered swelling.
true
what pathology is associated with a hammerhead shaped tongue?
- psychiatric disorder (bc HT is being distorted)
- usually a significant disorder
what pathology is generally associated with a long tongue?
- excess conditions, which could over time lengthen tongue
- generally excess heat
what pathologies are generally associated with a short tongue?
- usu. nutrient deficiency (mostly qi or blood xu) bc reflects lack of nourishment
- cold (bc tongue is a myo & contracts when cold), in which case it would be short and pale or blue in color
what does a flaccid tongue look like?
- lacks tone
- just sort of hangs
- is spiritless
what pathology is generally associated with a flaccid tongue?
always associated with a vacuity bc reflects lack of nourishment:
- qi or yang vacuity
- blood or yin vacuity
what does a stiff tongue look like?
- lacks flexibility, not pliable
- looks like a board
- speech is likely to be impaired
what pathology is generally associated with a stiff tongue?
- long term lack of nourishment
- if more on dry side, indicates blood & yin vacuity (due to failure of nourishment drying out tongue over time)
