Zang - Fu Organ Theory

Classification of Organs

Five Zang Organs

Heart, Liver, Lung, Spleen, and Kidney
Sometime, include Pericardium
Solid organs, Yin in nature
Function: produce and store essence, Qi, blood, and body fluid

Six Fu Organs

Small intestine, Gallbladder, Large intestine, Stomach, Urinary bladder, and San Jiao
Hollow organs, Yang in nature
Function: receive and digest food, absorb nutrients, and discharge waste

Six Extra-ordinary Organs

Brain, Marrow, Bone, Uterus, Blood vessels, and Gallbladder
They are shaped like Fu organs but have functions Zang organs.

Zang Organs

Paired Fu Organs

Heart

Governs blood and controls blood vessels
Stores Shen (spirit, mind)
- responsible for mental activity, memory, consciousness, and sleep
Related to happiness and joy
Opens into the tongue
Manifests in facial complexion
Controls sweat

Small Intestine

Controls the receiving & transforming
Separates the fluids from food
- sends food to the Large intestine and fluids to the Urinary bladder

Liver

Governs smooth flow of Qi
Governs the tendons
Stores Hun (Ethereal soul)
- responsible for finding direction in life, visions, and planning
Related to anger
Opens into the eyes
Reflects in the nails
Controls tears

Gallbladder

Is the only Fu organ that does not receive food and water and does not communicate with the exterior
Stores the bile
Controls judgment and decision
Controls the joints

Lung

Governs Qi and respiration
Governs the exterior for protection from external pathogens
Descends and disperses Qi throughout the body
Governs the skin
Stores Po (Corporal soul)
- responsible for growth and physiological functions
Related to grief and sadness
Opens into the nose
Reflects in the body hair
Controls phlegm and the nasal discharge

Large Intestine

Controls excretion of the rotten food

Spleen

Governs transportation and absorption of food and drink
Is the source of production and mutual transformation of Qi and Blood
Controls raising function
Keeps internal organs in place and contains the blood inside the blood vessels
Governs muscles and limbs
Stores Yi (thought, intent)
- responsible for clear thinking
Related to worry
Opens into the mouth
Manifests in the lips
Controls thick saliva

Stomach

Controls the ripening and rotting of food
Controls the transportation of Food Qi
Is the origin of fluids
Controls descending function, compared to the Spleen

Kidney

Often considered as "Root of Life" or "Root of the Pre-Heaven Qi
Governs birth, growth, reproduction and development
Stores essence
Produces the marrow which fills the brain
Control opening and closing of the lower orifices (spermatic duct, urethra and anus)
Governs bones
Stores Zhi (will power)
- responsible for motivation
Related to fear
Opens into the ears
Manifests in the hair
Controls saliva

Urinary Bladder

Removes water by Qi transformation, with the help of the Small Intestine and the San Jiao
Imbalance of the Urinary Bladder will provoke jealousy, suspicion and long-standing grudge

Pericardium

Closely related to the Heart
Protect the Heart from external pathogens

San Jiao (Triple Burner)

Refers to three area of the body cavity
-Upper burner: relates to organs in the thorax and the breathing function
- Middle burner: relates to the organs around the Stomach and the digesting function
- Lowe burner: relates to the organs below the abdomen and the urogenital functions
Plays important role in transporting fluids throughout the body

Five Organ Systems of the Body

Zang Organs	Liver	Heart	Spleen	Lung	Kidney
Fu Organs	Gallbladder	Small intestine	Stomach	Large intestine	Urinary bladder
Orifice	Eyes	Tongue	Mouth	Nose	Ears
Tissue	Tendons	Blood vessels	Muscles	Skin	Bones
Fluid	Tears	Sweat	Thick saliva	Phlegm	Saliva
Emotion	Anger	Joy	Worry	Grief	Fear
Taste	Sour	Bitter	Sweet	Pungent	Salty

Extra-ordinary Organs

Brain (Sea of Marrow)

Controls intelligence, memory, and the five senses
Is controlled by the Kidneys - the Kidneys produce marrow to fill the brain
Related to the Heart - the Heart stores Shen (spirit) and controls mental activity
Related to the Liver - the Liver helps smooth flow of emotions

Marrow

Is controlled and produced by the Kidneys
Nourishes the brain and the spinal cord through essence (Jing)
Produces the Bone

Bone

Is controlled by the Kidneys, produced by the Marrow
If the Kidney Essence and the Marrow are deficient, the Bones lose nourishment, cannot sustain the body and there will be inability to walk or stand.

Uterus

Controls reproduction and menstruation
Is controlled by the Kidneys and closely related to the Liver, the Heart, and the Spleen
- The uterus requires a rich supply of Qi, Blood, and essence for its function.

Blood Vessels

The Heart controls the movement of blood through the Blood vessels
The Spleen keeps the Blood in the Blood vessels.

Gallbladder

Is classified as both Fu organ and extra-ordinary organ because it does not receive food and water like other Fu organs and does not communicate with the exterior
Stores bile

NOTE: The names of organs are capitalized when referring to the entire, functional organ systems in TCM perspective: Liver, Blood, etc. The names of organs are lower-cased when referring to the distinct, biomedical organs: liver, blood, etc.