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The tongue is primarily associated with the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The tongue is the organ of the Heart." Therefore, in Heart diseases, one may observe a curled and shortened tongue, along with redness of the cheekbones. It further states: "Heart Qi connects to the tongue; when Heart Qi is harmonious, the tongue can perceive flavors." Another passage notes: "When a person bites their own tongue without cause, it is due to Jue Qi ascending and pulse Qi arriving. When Shaoyin Qi arrives, biting occurs." Su Wen records: "If the Heart pulse is firm and long, the patient will suffer from a curled tongue and inability to speak." Qiao Yue stated: "When Heart Qi fails, the tongue cannot retract properly, and speech becomes impossible." An alternative view suggests: "If the tongue is frequently numb without apparent cause, do not immediately treat it as wind-stroke; this is caused by insufficiency of Heart Blood, treated with Lizhong Tang added with Danggui)." The tongue is also associated with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The Foot Taiyin meridian ascends through the diaphragm, flanks the pharynx, connects to the root of the tongue, and scatters beneath it. When this meridian is disturbed, disease manifests as stiffness of the tongue root; generated diseases include pain at the tongue root. It also states: 'The regular pathway of Foot Taiyin penetrates the middle of the tongue.' Furthermore: 'Excessive needling of the central vessel under the tongue causing unceasing bleeding leads to [complications].' Note: The vessels under the tongue are the Spleen meridians. Su Wen states: 'The center corresponds to yellow and communicates internally with the Spleen; thus, diseases manifest at the tongue root.' Li Dongyuan said: "Although the tongue is governed by the Heart and perceives flavors, it contains the function of the Spleen." Sun Jingsi stated: "The tongue is dominated by Heart Qi and connected by Spleen pulses. Disharmony between these two zang organs allows Wind Pathogen to invade, resulting in tongue stiffness and aphasia; if Heat obstructs and attacks, the tongue swells and becomes immobile. Conditions such as double tongue, wooden tongue, and bleeding swollen tongue are all caused by Wind-Heat invading the Heart and Spleen meridians)." The tongue is additionally associated with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Zhang Jifeng stated: "Spleen and Stomach govern the four limbs; their meridians connect to the tongue root and link to the lips and mouth. The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain; the Spleen grinds and digests it, transforming the essence of water and grain into Ying and Wei Qi to nourish the four limbs. If daily routines are irregular and meals are untimely, Spleen and Stomach Qi become insufficient, and Ying-Wei nourishment is incomplete. Wind Pathogen then invades the deficiency, causing numbness in the four limbs and lips/mouth, and slurred speech. If untreated for a long time, this transforms into Wei Syndrome. The classics state: 'In treating Wei Syndrome, exclusively select the Yangming,' referring to the Foot Yangming. Treatment methods often use Spleen-Stomach herbs, with minimal wind-dispelling agents, which can bring relief)." The tongue is also associated with the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The sinews of the Hand Shaoyang have branches at the curved jaw, entering to tie the tongue root; their pathology involves tongue curling. Su Wen states: 'When Evil lodges in the Luo vessels of the Hand Shaoyang, it causes throat obstruction, tongue curling, dry mouth, and mental restlessness')." The tongue is also associated with the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Ling Shu states: "Foot Shaoyin ascends to tie the tongue, links to the transverse bone, and terminates at the epiglottis. It also says: 'For tongue protrusion with drooling and irritability, take Foot Shaoyin points.' Su Wen records: 'Needling Foot Shaoyin vessels, if causing severe deficiency and bleeding, results in difficulty speaking.' It further states: 'On the fifth day of Cold Damage, Shaoyin is affected, leading to dry mouth, dry tongue, and thirst.' Xuan Zhu states: "The orifices beneath the tongue are where Kidney fluids gather." Li Dongyuan said: "The lower orifice is Lianquan acupoint, also known as Sheben, located below the chin above the laryngeal prominence, belonging to Foot Shaoyin. It treats sublingual swelling, dysphemia, tongue protrusion, drooling, trismus, tongue root retraction, and difficulty swallowing)." The tongue is also associated with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The Liver is the union of sinews; sinews gather at the genitalia and network to the tongue root. Su Wen states: 'Jueyin Luo vessels... internal heat causes dry throat, frequent urination, and irritability; severely, it leads to tongue curling and testicular retraction, ending in death.' Shen Chengzhi stated: "The tongue governs the five flavors to nourish the body, relying on the Spleen to distribute fluids to the five zang organs. Thus, the primary meridian of the Heart ties to the tongue root; the primary meridian of the Spleen ties to the sides of the tongue; the Liver meridian circulates through the genitalia and networks to the tongue root)."