NR511 / NR 511 Final Exam Q & A Tongue
Diagnosis
What are the characteristics of a *normal tongue*? NORMAL TONGUE
-Has spirit
-Pale Red
-Thin white coat that is rooted and evenly distributed
-Smooth
-Has motility, moves easily, is supple
-No trembling or unintended movement
-Is moist
-Fits easily in mouth
-No cracks or markings or sores
-No curling
-No distended sublinguals
What are some examination conditions to take into consideration? -Natural lighting is best.
-Should be extended with ease, not too forcefully.
-Tongue should not be extended for long periods. If extended for too long will change color.
-Inquire if patient brushes tongue
-Determine if they have eaten anything shortly prior to examination
-Inquire about medications
What effect might antibiotics have on the appearance of the tongue? Peeled in
patches, due to injury to stomach yin.
What effect might oral steroids have on the appearance of the tongue? Red and
swollen after one month. Inhaled steroids have the same effect, just takes a bit longer to
show.
What effect might brochodilators have on the appearance of the tongue? Red tip
What effect might anti-inflammatories have on the appearance of the tongue? Red
spots, and possibly eventually result in peeling
What effect might chemotherapeutic have on the appearance of the tongue? Dark,
peeled coats, limp/withered tongue
, NR511 / NR 511 Final Exam Q & A Tongue
Diagnosis
Based on the 3 jiao correlation, the front of the tongue closer to the tip corresponds to
which jiao? Which type of conditions may they reflect more of? Upper Jiao. It may
indicate more exterior conditions that are manifesting on the tongue.
Based on the 3 jiao correlation, the back or root of the tongue corresponds to which jiao?
Lower Jiao.
Based on the correlation of specific organ systems, where is each organ system reflected?
Tip = Heart
Next zone = Lung
Middle zone = Spleen
Middle zone = Stomach
Patient Right Side = Gall Bladder
Patient Left Side = Liver
Root = Intestines, Bladder, Kidney
Does the tongue mostly reflect interior or exterior conditions? Interior
If the *tongue body is pale*, what does that indicate? *Blood vacuity* OR *yang
vacuity*.
If Yang vacuity, often bluish hue.
If the *tongue body is dark red*, what does that indicate? Heat excess or vacuity
If the *tongue body is scarlet*, what does that indicate? FIRE
If the *tongue body is purple*, what does that indicate? STASIS
bluish purple = cold stasis
reddish purple = blood stasis
If the tongue body is *THIN or SHRUNKEN*, what does that indicate? Deficiency of
the yin substances, either blood or fluids.
The consistency of the tongue body derives from a normal supply of body fluids to the
tongue. The fluids give it body. A thin tongue body therefore always suggests blood/fluid
deficiency. Sometimes the tongue can be so thin as to actually be shrunken, leaving
longitudinal ridges on its surface.
If the tongue body is *THICK or SWOLLEN*, what does that indicate? Too much fluid
accumulating in it.
Diagnosis
What are the characteristics of a *normal tongue*? NORMAL TONGUE
-Has spirit
-Pale Red
-Thin white coat that is rooted and evenly distributed
-Smooth
-Has motility, moves easily, is supple
-No trembling or unintended movement
-Is moist
-Fits easily in mouth
-No cracks or markings or sores
-No curling
-No distended sublinguals
What are some examination conditions to take into consideration? -Natural lighting is best.
-Should be extended with ease, not too forcefully.
-Tongue should not be extended for long periods. If extended for too long will change color.
-Inquire if patient brushes tongue
-Determine if they have eaten anything shortly prior to examination
-Inquire about medications
What effect might antibiotics have on the appearance of the tongue? Peeled in
patches, due to injury to stomach yin.
What effect might oral steroids have on the appearance of the tongue? Red and
swollen after one month. Inhaled steroids have the same effect, just takes a bit longer to
show.
What effect might brochodilators have on the appearance of the tongue? Red tip
What effect might anti-inflammatories have on the appearance of the tongue? Red
spots, and possibly eventually result in peeling
What effect might chemotherapeutic have on the appearance of the tongue? Dark,
peeled coats, limp/withered tongue
, NR511 / NR 511 Final Exam Q & A Tongue
Diagnosis
Based on the 3 jiao correlation, the front of the tongue closer to the tip corresponds to
which jiao? Which type of conditions may they reflect more of? Upper Jiao. It may
indicate more exterior conditions that are manifesting on the tongue.
Based on the 3 jiao correlation, the back or root of the tongue corresponds to which jiao?
Lower Jiao.
Based on the correlation of specific organ systems, where is each organ system reflected?
Tip = Heart
Next zone = Lung
Middle zone = Spleen
Middle zone = Stomach
Patient Right Side = Gall Bladder
Patient Left Side = Liver
Root = Intestines, Bladder, Kidney
Does the tongue mostly reflect interior or exterior conditions? Interior
If the *tongue body is pale*, what does that indicate? *Blood vacuity* OR *yang
vacuity*.
If Yang vacuity, often bluish hue.
If the *tongue body is dark red*, what does that indicate? Heat excess or vacuity
If the *tongue body is scarlet*, what does that indicate? FIRE
If the *tongue body is purple*, what does that indicate? STASIS
bluish purple = cold stasis
reddish purple = blood stasis
If the tongue body is *THIN or SHRUNKEN*, what does that indicate? Deficiency of
the yin substances, either blood or fluids.
The consistency of the tongue body derives from a normal supply of body fluids to the
tongue. The fluids give it body. A thin tongue body therefore always suggests blood/fluid
deficiency. Sometimes the tongue can be so thin as to actually be shrunken, leaving
longitudinal ridges on its surface.
If the tongue body is *THICK or SWOLLEN*, what does that indicate? Too much fluid
accumulating in it.
