
Chinese Physician Taking Radial Pulse

by Wellcome Images
Title
Chinese Physician Taking Radial Pulse
Artist
Wellcome Images
Medium
Painting - Photograph
Description
A doctor taking the pulse of a woman patient, seated at a table. Pulse palpation involves measuring the pulse both at a superficial and at a deep level at three different locations on the radial artery (Cun, Guan, Chi, palpated with the index, middle and ring finger) of each arm, for a total of twelve pulses, all of which are thought to correspond with certain zāng-fu. The pulse is examined for several characteristics including rhythm, strength and volume, and described with qualities like "floating, slippery, bolstering-like, feeble, thready and quick"; each of these qualities indicate certain disease patterns. Learning TCM pulse diagnosis can take several years The radial pulse is commonly measured using three fingers. This has a reason the finger closest to the heart is used to occlude the pulse pressure, the middle finger is used get a crude estimate of the blood pressure, and the finger most distal to the heart (usually the ring finger) is used to nullify the effect of the ulnar pulse as the two arteries are connected via the palmar arches (superficial and deep). The study of the pulse is known as sphygmology. Watercolor by Zhou Pei Qun, 1890.
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December 13th, 2017
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