The Four Diagnostic Methods
The Theoretical Basis of Inspection (Wang)
Inspection (Observation) is a fundamental TCM diagnostic method based on visceral manifestation and meridian theory. By examining the vitality, color, form, and posture of the body's exterior, five sense organs, and five body constituents, it infers the state of the internal organs and the dynamics of essence, qi, and spirit. Learn the key correspondences such as the lung governing skin and hair, and how changes in the face, eyes, tongue, and body surface reflect health or disease.
Inspection is a method of diagnosing disease based on the theories of the zang‑fu organs and meridians. The exterior of the human body is closely related to the five zang and six fu organs. Any changes in organ functions are inevitably reflected in external signs such as vitality, color, form, and posture. The five zang and six fu organs connect with the body surface through the twelve regular meridians, and each corresponds to one of the five body constituents: lung governs skin and hair, liver governs sinews, spleen governs muscles, heart governs blood vessels, and kidney governs bones. The five sense organs also relate to the five zang: the nose is the orifice of the lung, the eyes the orifice of the liver, the mouth the orifice of the spleen, the tongue the orifice of the heart, and the ears the orifice of the kidney. Therefore, observing changes in the body surface and sense organs can reveal internal organ changes. It also reflects the abundance or depletion of the whole body's essence and qi. The state of essence, qi, and spirit manifests mainly in the head and eyes, and is also reflected in the body posture, voice, facial complexion, pulse condition, and tongue condition. Sufficient essence, abundant qi, and vigorous spirit are signs of health; essence depletion, qi deficiency, and spirit exhaustion are manifestations and causes of disease. Hence, inspection not only diagnoses internal organ disorders but also reveals the dynamic changes of essence, qi, and spirit.