ACC Zang-Fu Organ Theory and Functions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of the Heart (Xin) in TCM?
- Governs blood and houses the mind (Shen) (Correct answer)
- Controls digestion and transformation of food
- Stores Jing and governs reproduction
- Governs defensive Qi (Wei Qi) on the body surface
Correct answer: Governs blood and houses the mind (Shen)
In TCM, the Heart governs blood circulation and houses the Shen (mind/spirit), making it the 'emperor' among the organs.
Question 2: Which Zang organ governs the 'descending and dispersing of Qi' and controls the skin and body hair?
- Kidney
- Liver
- Lung (Correct answer)
- Spleen
Correct answer: Lung
The Lung governs the descending and dispersing of Qi, regulates water metabolism via the water passages, and controls the skin and body hair.
Question 3: The Spleen's primary function in TCM is best described as:
- Storing blood during periods of rest
- Transforming and transporting nutrients derived from food (Correct answer)
- Filtering blood and removing pathogens from circulation
- Governing water metabolism and fluid excretion
Correct answer: Transforming and transporting nutrients derived from food
The Spleen transforms food into Gu Qi and transports nutrients throughout the body, playing the central role in post-natal Qi production.
Question 4: Which Zang organ is compared to a 'General' or 'Military Commander' due to its role in planning and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi?
- Heart
- Lung
- Spleen
- Liver (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Liver
The Liver is compared to a military general because it is responsible for planning, strategizing, and maintaining the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body.
Question 5: The Kidney is said to store which fundamental substance that underlies all physiological processes?
- Blood (Xue)
- Essence (Jing) (Correct answer)
- Defensive Qi (Wei Qi)
- Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi)
Correct answer: Essence (Jing)
The Kidney stores Jing (Essence), which is the fundamental substance inherited from parents and determines constitutional strength and reproductive capacity.
Question 6: Which organ opens into the tongue, making speech problems or tongue color changes a diagnostic indicator?
- Lung
- Spleen
- Heart (Correct answer)
- Kidney
Correct answer: Heart
In TCM, the Heart opens into the tongue; therefore, Heart imbalances often manifest as speech difficulties, tongue soreness, or changes in the tongue's color and coating.
Question 7: The Lung is called the 'delicate organ' (Jiao Zang) because it:
- Has the weakest Qi among all Zang organs
- Is easily attacked by external pathogenic factors (Correct answer)
- Produces the least amount of post-natal Jing
- Controls the meridian with the fewest acupoints
Correct answer: Is easily attacked by external pathogenic factors
The Lung is called the 'delicate organ' because it directly contacts the external environment through breathing, making it most susceptible to external pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, and Heat.
ACC Zang-Fu Organ Theory and Functions 1
What is the primary function of the Heart (Xin) in TCM?