ACC TCM Foundational Theories 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In TCM, 'Jing' (Essence) is primarily stored in which organ?
- Heart
- Spleen
- Kidney (Correct answer)
- Liver
Correct answer: Kidney
The Kidneys store Jing (Essence), which includes both congenital essence inherited from parents and acquired essence from food.
Question 2: Which of the following correctly describes the Ke (controlling/restraining) cycle relationship?
- Metal controls Earth; Earth controls Water
- Water controls Fire; Fire controls Metal
- Wood controls Earth; Earth controls Water (Correct answer)
- Fire controls Water; Water controls Wood
Correct answer: Wood controls Earth; Earth controls Water
In the Ke cycle, Wood controls Earth (tree roots break up soil), Earth controls Water (dams hold water), and so on.
Question 3: The TCM concept of 'Wei Qi' is best described as:
- Nutritive Qi that circulates within the blood vessels
- Defensive Qi that flows on the exterior to protect against pathogens (Correct answer)
- Original Qi derived from prenatal essence
- Gathering Qi concentrated in the chest
Correct answer: Defensive Qi that flows on the exterior to protect against pathogens
Wei Qi is the defensive energy that circulates on the body's exterior, protecting it from external pathogenic factors.
Question 4: In TCM, which pathological condition results from Liver overacting on Spleen?
- Mu Cheng Tu (Wood insulting Earth)
- Tu Cheng Mu (Earth insulting Wood)
- Mu Ke Tu (Wood controlling Earth) becoming pathological (Correct answer)
- Shui Ke Huo (Water controlling Fire) becoming pathological
Correct answer: Mu Ke Tu (Wood controlling Earth) becoming pathological
When Liver (Wood) overacts on Spleen (Earth) due to Liver excess or Spleen deficiency, it is a pathological exaggeration of the normal Ke cycle.
Question 5: The 'seven emotions' in TCM are pathogenic factors that primarily affect:
- The exterior surface and skin
- The internal organs through excess emotional stimulation (Correct answer)
- The blood vessels and circulation
- The bone marrow and prenatal essence
Correct answer: The internal organs through excess emotional stimulation
Excess or prolonged emotions directly injure their corresponding Zang organs and disrupt Qi flow.
Question 6: According to TCM, 'Shen' (Spirit/Mind) is stored in which organ?
- Liver
- Kidney
- Heart (Correct answer)
- Spleen
Correct answer: Heart
The Heart houses the Shen, which encompasses consciousness, mental activity, and emotional life.
Question 7: The TCM principle 'Yi Bing Tong Zhi' means:
- One disease, one treatment
- Different diseases, same treatment (Correct answer)
- Same disease, different treatments
- Treat the branch before the root
Correct answer: Different diseases, same treatment
'Yi Bing Tong Zhi' means different diseases can be treated with the same method if they share the same underlying pattern.
ACC TCM Foundational Theories 3
In TCM, 'Jing' (Essence) is primarily stored in which organ?