Fig. 4-3 The extraordinary organs
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Extraordinary organs is a collective term for the brain, marrow, bones, blood vessels, gallbladder and uterus (Fig. 4-3). They are called extraordinary because their morphological and physiological properties are different from the ordinary bowels and viscera.
Fig. 4-3 The extraordinary organs
Viscera and bowels form interior and exterior relations, but except for gallbladder, extraordinary organs have no such relations, though their functions are regulated by five viscera and they are linked to the five viscera by eight extra meridians.* Gallbladder discharges something (bile); therefore, it is a bowel. It stores something (bile), functions like other extraordinary organs; therefore, it is one of the bowels and one of the extraordinary organs as well. Only the uterus will be discussed in this part of the chapter as an example of extraordinary organs.
The uterus* is one of the extraordinary organs. It is where a fetus is carried and nourished while it develops before birth. It is located in the lower abdomen* and is a female reproductive organ*.
Menstruation* is the shedding* of the uterine lining*. Women typically stop menstruating if they are pregnant* or if they are breastfeeding*. Menstruation lasts from puberty* until menopause among non-pregnant women. When girls reach puberty, qi and blood are sufficient in the conception vessel* and thoroughfare vessel*, the heavenly tenth promotes the uterus to be ready for menstruation, conception and childbearing.