Anatomy of the large intestine in ancient Chinese medicine

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From an edition published in 1537 (16th year of the Jiajing reign period of the Ming dynasty). The large intestine is one of the six fu viscera. At the top, it meets the ileocecal conjunction (lanmen - Barrier Portal), where it communicates with the small intestine and at the base it meets the anus (gangmen - this includes the colon and rectum). The large intestine channel of hand yangming passes through the lung, with which it stands in an external-internal relationship. Collected Gems of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Vol. 1, states: 'The large intestine weighs 1 jin (Chinese lb, c. 500 gr.) and 2 liang (Chinese oz., c. 50 gr.). It measures 2 zhang (1 zhang = c. 3 1/3 metres) and 1 chi (Chinese foot) in length, 4 cun (Chinese inches) in breadth, and 1 cun in diameter. It is coiled in 16 convolutions to the right of the navel. It can hold 1 dou [1 dou = c. 10 litres] of grain [i.e. solids] and 7½ sheng (1 sheng = c. 1 litre) of water [i.e. liquid].

Lettering

Picture title: large intestine, fu organ. Other lettering: At the upper opening of the [large] intestine is the lower opening of the small intestine. At its lower end, the large intestine connects with the rectum; below the rectum are the anus and gudao (grain passage - part of the rectum leading to the anus), immediately behind the genitalia.

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