The Zang Fu Organs in Chinese medicine

The Zang-Fu theory explains the physiological functions，pathological changes，and mutual relationships of every Zang and Fu organ.In Traditional Chinese Medicine the Zang and Fu organs are not simply anatomical substances，but more importantly represent the generalization of the physiology and pathology of certain systems of the human body.

Zang and Fu consist of the five Zang and six Fu organs.The five Zang organs are the heart（including the pericardium），lung，spleen，liver，and kidney.The six Fu organs are the gallbladder，stomach，large intestine，small intestine，bladder and“sanjiao”（three areas of the body cavity）.Zang and Fu are classified by the different features of their functions.The five Zang organs mainly manufacture and store essential substances，including Essence，Qi，Blood and Fluid.

The six Fu organs mainly receive and digest food，absorb nutrient substances，and transmit and excrete wastes.

Plain Questions says：The five Zang organs store up Essential Qi and regulate its outflow；the six Fu organs transform and transport substances without storing them，and for this reason they may be over-filled but cannot be filled to capacity.

Although the Zang organs are different from the Fu organs in terms of physiological activities，there is a structural and functional connection by the way of meridians and vessels between individual Zang and Fu organs；between the Zang and Fu organs collectively；and between the Zang-Fu organs on the one hand，and the five sense organs and tissues on the other.

hancheng

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