Part Four: THE APPLICATION OF THE YIN-YANG THEORY
[align=center][b]第四部分: 阴阳学说的应用[/b][/align]The yin-yang theory permeates all aspects of the theoretical system of TCM. The theory is used to explain the organic structure, physiological function and pathological changes of the human body. It also serves as a principle to guide clinical diagnosis@NB7V?Ot
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阴阳理论渗透于中医理论系统的各个方面。该理论可用于解释人体的组织结构、生理功能和病理改变,也是指导临床诊断的原则之一。
l . Explaining the Tissues and Structure of the Human Body 1.解释人体组织结构XSVwVfrU
The human body is an integrated whole. All its tissues and structures are organically connected and may be classified as two opposite aspects-yin and yang. That is why Su wen states,"Man, having a form, can not deviate from yin and yang." In terms of the anatomical locations, the upper part of the body is yang and the lower part is yin; the exterior is yang and the interior, yin; the back is yang and the abdomen, yin; the lateral aspects of the extremities are yang and the medical aspects, yin. Concerning the zang-fu organs, the zang-organs store but not discharge essence-qi and, therefore, they are yin; while the fu-organs transmit and transform food into essence-qi but not store it, and, for this reason, they are yang. Furthermore, each of the zang- or fu-organs can be redivided into yin and yang. For example, heart-yin and heart-yang, kidney-yin and kidney-yang, stomach-yin and stomach-yang, etc. As concerns yin and yang of the meridian-collateral system, there are two categories: yin meridians and yang meridians; yin collaterals and yang collaterals. All of them are opposite pairs. Thus, in line with the yin-yang theory, the unity of opposites between yin and yang exist in the upper and lower, internal and external, front and back parts of the human body, and within all the internal organs as well.
人体是一个完整的整体。所有的组织结构都存在着有机联系,并可被分为阴阳相反的两类。这就是为什么《素问》说:人生有形,不离阴阳。就解剖位置而言,人体上部为阳,下部为阴;外为阳,内为阴;背为阳,腹为阴;四肢末端为阳,躯干为阴。就脏腑组织而言,脏藏而不泄,故为阴;而腑泄而不藏,故为阳。再者,脏腑的每一部分又可分阴阳。例如,心阴和心阳,肾阴和肾阳,胃阴和胃阳等等。就经络系统之阴阳而言,可分为两类:阴经和阳经,阴络和阳络。以上都属于阴阳的对立两面。以此而知,阴阳理论贯穿存在于人体的上下、内外、前后部分和内部组织之间。
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2. Explaining the Physiological Functions of the Human Body 2.解释人体的生理功能
The yin-yang theory believes that the normal life activities of the human body result from the harmonious relation of the unity of opposites between yin and yang. Take the relationship between function and matter for example, function pertains to yang while matter, to yin. Physiological activities of the body are based on matter. Without matter, there would be no sustentation for function activities. And functional activities are the motive power for producing matter. In other words, without functional activities, the metabolism of matter would not be performed. In this way, yin and yang within the human body depend on each other for existence. If yin and yang can't complement each other and become separated from each other, life will come to an end. So Su Wen says:"The equilibrium of yin and yang makes the vitality well-conserved; the divorce of yin and yang essence-qi exhausted."sO6WDP%@XO
阴阳理论认为人体的正常生命活动来自于阴阳对立统一关系的协调。以功能和物质的关系为例,功能属阳,物质属阴。人体的生理活动以物质为基础。没有物质,功能活动就无法维持。功能活动是物质形成的动力。换言之,没有功能活动,物质形态就无法形成。因此,人体阴阳是相互依存的。如果阴阳不能相互补充而是相互分离,生命就将告终。故《素问》曰:阴平阳秘,精神乃治;阴阳离决,精气乃绝。KV5O%N_%|,A
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3. Explaining the Pathological Changes 3.解释病理改变SO[{%s'J
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TCM considers that the imbalance between yin and yang is one of the basic pathogenesis of a disease. The occurrence and development of a disease are related to both the vital-qi and pathogenic factors. Although the pathologlical changes which occur in diseases are complicated and changeable, they can still be summarized as excess or deficiency of yin or yang. To be more concrete, "yang excess leads to heat syndrome while yin excess causes cold syndrome"; "yang deficiency results in cold syndrome while yin deficiency causes heat syndromes"; "yang deficiency affects yin while yin deficiency affects yang."1xqFDS;w
中医认为阴阳不调是疾病的基本病理改变之一。疾病的发生和发展与正邪两方面因素有关。尽管疾病的病理改变变幻复杂,但始终能归结为阴阳的虚实。更具体的说就是“阳盛则热,阴盛则寒;阳虚则寒,阴虚则热;阳损及阴,阴损及阳”。O"qlJ3z!XJ
