CHAPTER 6

INSPECTION

望诊

Upon completion of this chapter, you are required to:

  1. Master the words that form the TCM terms associated with this chapter.
  2. Understand the meaning of new TCM terms formed by these words.
  3. Make new TCM terms in English with these words.
  4. Describe different tongue shapes, tongue colors and their clinical indications.
  5. Describe different fur texture and fur color of the tongue and their indications.

Inspection is one of the four diagnostic examinations*. It consists of observing the patient's mental state*, facial expression*, complexion*, physical condition, condition of the tongue, excreta*, and the vein of an infant's fingers*. However, due to the limited space, only tongue inspection will be discussed in this chapter as examples for language learning. For more information about inspection in English, you may refer to the following websites or search for "inspection in TCM" on the internet: