OPP 102 2010

LUNG PHYSIOLOGY & PATHOLOGY

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Lungs
A. Functions
1. Governs Qi and respiration
a. The Lungs extract Qing Qi (Clean Qi) from the air, which combines with Gu Qi (Food
Qi) from the Spleen and forms Zong Qi (Gathering Qi; Big Qi of the Chest). The
Zong Qi then aids the functioning of the Lungs and Heart, promoting good circulation
to the limbs and controlling the strength of the voice.
b. The Lungs inhale pure Qi (air) and exhale dirty Qi. This ensures the proper
functioning of all the bodys physiological processes that use Qi as their basis.
c. Ren-17 is often referred to as the Sea of Qi.
2. Controls the channels and blood vessels
a. Like the Zong Qi, Zhen Qi (True Qi) also originates from the Lungs. Zhen Qi then
assumes two different forms, Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) & Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). The
Ying Qi is the Qi that flows through the channels and that moves the blood through the
vessels.
b. The Lungs control the channels and blood vessels because the Ying Qi originates from
the Lungs.
c. Since the Lungs govern Qi, they also control the circulation of Qi through the blood
vessels and the channels
3. Controls diffusing and descending of Qi & Body Fluids
a. The Lungs diffuse the Wei Qi to the skin & Cou Li (space between the skin and
muscles) and regulates the pores. If the Lung-Qi is weak and its diffusing function is
impaired, then the Wei Qi will not reach the skin. This will allow one to have little
protection from any EPF (External Pathogenic Factor) and easily catch a cold.
b. The Lungs diffuse the Body Fluids as a mist, which moistens the skin and regulates
sweating. If this function is impaired, then fluids may accumulate under the skin
causing edema (face most common area). With regards to sweating, there could be
spontaneous sweating or no sweating at all, depending on whether or not the condition
was deficient or excess, respectively.
c. The Lungs descend Qi to the Kidneys, which grasp the Qi. This interaction
harmonizes ones breathing. If this descending movement is impaired, then the Qi will
accumulate in the chest and may rebel upwards. This may cause symptoms such as
coughing, shortness of breath, oppressive feeling in the chest, constipation (if the LI
does not receive enough Qi from the Lungs to move the stool) or retention of urine.
d. The Lungs descend Body Fluids down to the Kidneys and Bladder. The Kidney-Yang
then evaporates some of the fluids, which is essential to keep the Lungs moist. In the
case of certain urinary problems, Lung-Qi deficiency may be the cause
4. Regulates all physiological activities
a. Ask yourself, What is the clinical significance of the Lungs position as Prime
Minister and of its regulation of all physiological activities?
i. The Prime Minister assists the Emperor (Heart) in the circulation of Blood
by governing the Qi.
Qi is the commander of Blood
Blood is the mother of Qi
ii. There is a mutual dependence between the Heart and the Lungs just as there is
between the Prime Minister and the Emperor.
K Leavy RN AP

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OPP 102 2010

LUNG PHYSIOLOGY & PATHOLOGY
iii. The Zong Qi plays an important role in assisting the Heart functions as well as
the Lungs functions helps circulate Qi & Blood to the extremities (esp. the
hands).
iv. Just as the Prime Ministers office controls and directs the administrative
functions of all government departments, the Lungs help to regulate all
physiological activities by:
Governing Qi
Controlling the channels and blood vessels
Governing breathing
b. By governing Qi, the Lungs regulate the ascending and descending as well as the
entering and exiting of Qi through their descending and diffusing function,
respectively.
c. By controlling the channels and blood vessels governing breathing, the Lungs aid in
circulating the Qi and distributing it to all tissues and organs in every part of the body
(which obviously plays an important part in all regulating all physiological activities.
Regulates Water passages
a. The Lungs diffuse Body Fluids as a mist to the skin and muscles.
b. The Lungs descend Body Fluids to the Kidneys and Bladder.
c. The Lungs aid in the excretion of Body Fluids through sweating (from the diffusing of
fluids to the Cou Li) or urine (from the Lungs descending fluids to the Bladder)
Controls the skin & Cou Li
a. The Lungs receive refined fluids from the Spleen and diffuses them to the skin, Cou Li
& muscles all over the body.
i. If the diffusing of fluids functions properly, then the skin will be nourished &
moistened, as well as have luster, sweating will be normal and the pores will
be regulated.
ii. If this function is impaired, then there may be skin that is rough and dry.
b. The Lungs disperse the Wei Qi to the skin & Cou Li.
i. If the Wei Qi is strong and well distributed, then the person will have a good
resistance to attack from EPF.
ii. If the Wei Qi is weak, then the pores will be slack (there may be spontaneous
sweating, which will further deplete the Wei Qi) and resistance to disease will
be poor.
Manifests in the body hair
a. When the Lungs send fluids to the skin & Cou Li, it also nourishes the body hair
i. If the diffusing of Qi & fluids by the Lungs is normal, then the body hair will
by glossy and healthy
ii. If the diffusing of Qi & fluids by the Lungs is impaired, then the body hair
will lack moisture & nourishment and the hair will be withered, brittle and dry
quality to it.
Opens into the nose
a. The Lungs govern breathing and smell, which occurs through the nose.
i. If Lung-Qi is strong, then the nose will be open, breathing will be easy and the
sense of smell will be normal.
ii. If the Lung Qi were weak, then there would be little resistance to an invasion
from an EPF, which may cause the nose to be runny, sneezing and the sense of
smell to be poor.
K Leavy RN AP

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OPP 102 2010

LUNG PHYSIOLOGY & PATHOLOGY
iii. If the Lungs are invaded by Dampness, then the nose may be congested.
iv. If the Lungs have Heat, then there may be nosebleeds, loss of smell and
flaring nostrils.
Controls nasal mucus
a. The (somewhat obvious) fluid that the Lungs control.
i. If the diffusing of the Qi & fluids by the Lungs is normal, then the nose is
properly moistened and lubricated by normal mucus secretion (which is a part
of the defense against EPFs).
ii. If this function is impaired, then there may be an accumulation of nasal
discharge or a stuffed nose
Heat / Phlegm-Heat nasal mucus becomes thick and yellow
Dryness nasal mucus is insufficient to moisten and lubricate
the nose and the nasal mucosa is dry
Houses the Po (Corporeal Soul)
a.
Affected by worry, grief and sadness
a. Worry tends to knot Qi, which may be seen in chronic worriers with shoulder and
chest tension. May lead to Qi stagnation and the formation of breast lumps.
b. Sadness and grief deplete Qi.
Other Lung Relationships
a. Smell: rotten (chest infection)
b. Color: white (Metal phase/element)
c. Taste: pungent
A small amount of pungent (spicy) foods will gently tonify the
Lungs
An excessive amount of pungent foods will cause Heat to enter
the Lungs or to weaken the Lung Yin.
d. Climate: dryness
Excessive dry climates (desert, certain industrial environments or
central heating) will damage the Lungs (especially the Yin).
e. Sound: weeping (& crying)
Keep in mind that the Lungs are affected by sadness and grief.
Sayings
a. The Lungs govern the 100 vessels
Lu-9 is the Influential point for vessels
b. The Lungs loathe cold
Wind-Cold interferes with the circulation of Wei Qi and fluids.
c. The Lungs govern the voice
If the Lungs are weak, then the voice may be low.
If the Lungs are obstructed, then the voice may be muffled.
d. The Lungs are a delicate organ
It is the first internal organ to be attacked by EPFs.

K Leavy RN AP