四十二难曰∶人肠胃长短，受水谷多少，各几何？
然∶胃大一尺五寸，径五寸，长二尺六寸，
横屈受水谷三斗五升，其中常留谷二斗，水一斗五升。小肠大二寸半，径八分分之少半，长三丈二
尺，受谷二斗四升，水六升三合合之大半。回肠大四寸，径一寸半，长二丈一尺，受谷一斗，水七
升半。广肠大八寸，径二寸半，长二尺八寸，受谷九升三合八分合之一。故肠胃凡长五丈八尺四寸，
合受水谷八斗七升六合八分合之一。此肠胃长短，受水谷之数也。
此论肠胃长短容受之数，以围三径一之法约之，多有不合，或者简误。然长短容受之数，亦只
言略例耳，未可深泥。
按∶西医言胃形纡曲如袋，容水三升许，横居膈下，上连食管，下属小肠，其体三层，外层
上下有血管四支分布，小支密缠于内，因胃接血比他脏尤多，中层之肉，经纬两纹斜交，故能
舒缩拥动，以匀转食物，内层周遭有小穴，以生津液，胃体内外有脑气筋，及白节筋散布，故
与百体相关应。胃之左为脾，右为肝，胰附于胃后，胃之本热，与他脏同，但消化食物时其热
较盛。胃津味酸，色如口沫，盖主消化食物者也。小肠长约二丈，上口通胃，下口接大肠，外
皮光滑，内皮折叠，其纹甚密，上有尖粒，即吸液管之口，液管者，乃吸 食物之精液管也。
食物由胃至小肠头，即与胆汁胰汁会合，渐落渐榨，榨出精液，其吸液管百派千支，散布肠后
夹膜之间，众吸液管聚于附近脊骨处，合而为一，名曰精液总管，从腰骨间附脊骨而上至颈，
即屈转而下达心以化血。大肠约长五尺，分上中下三回，回长尺余，上回与小肠相接处，名曰
阑门。中回在肝下，横过胃底。下回自脾下，从左软胁间斜落至肛门，乃直肠也。食物至上中
两回，犹有吸液管吸其余液，至下回则精液已竭，惟存渣滓矣。
肝重四斤四两、左三叶、右四叶、凡七叶、主藏魂。
西医言肝居右胁下，五叶，色紫赤，重约三四十两左右，两叶中界长峡，右大于左，右下有
小方叶，胆囊附焉。右叶后之下，亦有一叶，不甚大，名后叶，叶尾尤小。由后叶底起，至右
叶止，上覆下盂，左枕胃，下与贲门为界，上为三焦膜包裹。左右叶各出胆管一支，相合一寸
许，复分为二，一透小肠头，一透胆囊，是通胆汁至小肠，以融化食物者。肝内又有回血等管，
以养肝而接胆汁，肝不偏居于左，而肝为风木，应乎巽，旧说居左者，应风木之气左升，非以
部位言也。肝为热壅，则胀大数倍，若各管凝滞不通，血水溢渗夹膜之裹，渐积渐深，而腹即
渐大，故蛊胀一证，多属之肝云。
心重十二两，中有七孔三毛，盛精汁三合，主藏神。
西医言心色赤而鲜，重约十两，上阔下尖，周遭夹膜包裹，即心包络也。上有肺罩之，空悬
胸中，下有膈膜遮蔽，心之外体圆滑，内空如囊，剖视四壁嶙峋，或凹或凸，中有直肉隔之，
故有左房右房之称。左右半截间，又有横肉间之，故有上房下房之号。四房大小相若，中有门
户，筋丝数条牵连，自能开阖。右上房有回血管二支，一向上，一向下。右下房有大血管一支，
长约寸许，即分为左右而入肺。左上房有回血管，亦与肺通。左下房有血脉总管一支，为运赤
血，循督脉，下血海，以散行经脉。另有脑气筋白节筋，密缠于内，以行其用。是心乃运血之
脏，而主百脉，故为君主之官也。
脾重二斤三两，扁广三寸，长五寸，有散膏半斤，主裹血，温五脏，主藏意。
西医言脾居胃旁，形长方而扁软，重约六七两，血盛则深紫。其大小变态不一，食过饱则胀
大，饥时则小，若患疟或热病，有胀大十余倍者。位在左胁下，与胃脂膜相连，内有回血管，
由胃后入肝，人病则血脉不行于外，即蓄聚于脾，所以脾即胀大耳。脾内回血管壅滞，即有血
水渗泄于下，故肿胀之病，亦多发于脾也。胰，附脾之物，形长方，重约三四两，横贴胃后，
头大向右，尾尖在左，右之大头，与小肠头为界，左之小尾，与脾相接，中有液管一条，由左
横右，穿过胰之体，斜入小肠上口之旁，与胆汁入小肠同路，所生之汁，能消化食物，其质味
甜，或名之甜肉云。
肺重三斤三两，六叶两耳，凡八叶，主藏魄。
西医言肺居膈上，状若悬磬，系以气喉，色白如缟映红，顶尖而圆，左两叶，右三叶，披离
下垂，右大于左，因心尖向左，微占其位，左长于右，缘肝经处右，稍高于脾也。后附脊骨，前
连胸膛，肺中有管窍，上通咽喉，以呼出悍气，吸入生气，而换紫血，入心化赤，下引心气，
而达胞室。肺质轻松，外有膜沫濡润，以助呼吸者也。
肾有两枚，重一斤一两，主藏志。
西医言肾居十二脊骨间，形如猪腰子，重约三四两，周遭有三焦脂膜包裹，左右相对，左上
有脾胃及大肠下回盖之，右上有肝及大肠上回盖之。肾中有油膜一条，贯于脊骨，是为肾系，
下连三焦之根。又有气管，由肾系附脊骨而上通心肺。两肾属水，中间肾系属火，即命门也。命门
者，乃三焦发源之所，故三焦主相火，与心包络表里，三焦之气，游行于上中下，即相火之游行也。
胆在肝之短叶间，重三两三铢，盛精汁三合。
西医言胆囊式如梨，附于肝右之小方叶中，贮青汁，乃回血入肝，感肝木之气化而成。人食
后小肠饱满，肠头上逼胆囊，使其汁流入小肠之内，以融化食物，而利传渣滓。若胆汁不足，则精粗
不分，粪色白结而不黄，胆汁过多，上呕苦涎，或下泄青泻，胆管闭塞，其汁入血，即病瘅黄矣。
胃重二斤二两，纡曲屈伸，长二尺六寸，大一尺五寸，径五寸，盛谷二斗，水一斗五升。小肠
重二斤十四两，长三丈二尺，广二寸半，径八分分之少半，左回叠积十六曲，盛谷二斗四升，水六
升三合合之大半。大肠重二斤十二两，长二丈一尺，广四寸，径一寸。当齐右回叠积十六曲、盛谷
一斗、水七升半。
膀胱重九两二铢、纵广九寸、盛溺九升九合。口广二寸半、唇至齿长九分，齿以后至会厌，深三寸
半，大容五合。舌重十两，长七寸，广二寸半。咽门重十两，广二寸半，至胃长一尺六寸，喉咙重
十二两，广二寸，长一尺二寸，九节。肛门重十二两，大八寸，径二寸大半，长二尺八寸，受谷九
升三合八分合之一。
此即《灵枢·肠胃篇》及平人绝谷篇之义。而增入五脏轻重，所盛所藏，虽觉前后重复，不
害其为叮咛也。脏腑之学，西士言之较详，故注中多采其说。然人有长短婴壮不同，况古今之权量
各异，其丈尺容受，不可拘泥，识其略例可也。
第四十二难问道：人的肠胃长短，能容纳多少水谷，各是多少呢？
回答说：胃的周长是一尺五寸，直径五寸，长二尺六寸，弯曲部分能容纳水谷三斗五升，其中通常留存谷物二斗，水一斗五升。小肠周长二寸半，直径八分又少半分，长三丈二尺，能容纳谷物二斗四升，水六升三合又大半合。回肠周长四寸，直径一寸半，长二丈一尺，能容纳谷物一斗，水七升半。广肠周长八寸，直径二寸半，长二尺八寸，能容纳谷物九升三合八分之一合。所以肠胃总共长五丈八尺四寸，合计能容纳水谷八斗七升六合八分之一合。这就是肠胃长短及容纳水谷的数量。
这段论述肠胃长短及容纳数量的说法，是用“围三径一”（周长是直径三倍）的方法估算的，与实际多有不符，可能是简略或笔误所致。然而，关于长短和容纳数量的说法，也只是大概举例罢了，不必过分拘泥。
按语：西医认为胃的形状迂曲如袋，容量约三升，横居膈肌之下，上连食管，下接小肠。胃壁分为三层，外层上下有四支血管分布，小血管密集缠绕于内，因为胃接收的血液比其他脏腑更多；中层肌肉，经纬纹理斜向交叉，所以能够舒缩蠕动，以均匀转动食物；内层周围有小孔，用来分泌津液。胃体内外散布着脑神经和白节筋（此处指某种神经或筋膜组织），因此与全身各部相互关联呼应。胃的左边是脾，右边是肝，胰腺附着在胃后方。胃的本源热量与其他脏腑相同，但在消化食物时热量较盛。胃津味道酸，颜色像口沫，主要功能是消化食物。小肠长约二丈，上口通胃，下口接大肠，外皮光滑，内皮折叠，纹理非常细密，上面有尖粒，即吸收管（淋巴管/微血管）的开口，吸液管就是吸收食物精微物质的管道。
食物由胃进入小肠头部，随即与胆汁、胰汁汇合，逐渐下落并受到挤压，榨取出精微物质。这些吸液管千丝万缕，散布在肠后夹膜之间，众多吸液管汇聚到靠近脊柱的地方，合并为一，称为精液总管，从腰部沿脊柱向上到达颈部，然后屈折向下到达心脏以化生血液。大肠约长五尺，分为上、中、下三段，每段长约一尺多。上段与小肠相接处，名叫阑门。中段在肝脏下方，横过胃底。下段从脾脏下方开始，从左肋软处斜落至肛门，即直肠。食物到达上、中两段时，还有吸液管吸收剩余液体，到了下段则精微已尽，只剩下渣滓了。
肝脏重四斤四两，左叶三片，右叶四片，共七叶，主藏魂。
西医认为肝脏位于右胁下，有五叶，颜色紫红，重量约三四十两左右。两叶中间有长峡相连，右叶大于左叶，右叶下方有小方叶，胆囊附着于此。右叶后下方也有一叶，不太大，名叫后叶，叶尾尤其细小。从后叶底部起，延伸至右叶止，上覆下盂，左侧枕靠胃，下界为贲门，上部被三焦膜包裹。左右叶各发出一支胆管，相合约一寸许，再分为二，一支透入小肠头部，一支透入胆囊，这是将胆汁输送至小肠以融化食物的通道。肝内又有回流血液等管道，以滋养肝脏并连接胆汁。肝并不偏居于左侧，但肝属风木，对应八卦中的巽卦，旧说认为肝居左侧，是顺应风木之气向左上升的原理，并非指解剖部位而言。如果肝被热邪壅滞，则会肿胀数倍，如果各管道凝滞不通，血水溢渗到夹膜包裹之中，逐渐积聚加深，腹部就会逐渐胀大，所以蛊胀这一病证，多归属于肝。
心脏重十二两，中有七个孔和三根毛发，盛放精汁三合，主藏神。
西医认为心脏颜色鲜红，重量约十两，上宽下尖，周围被夹膜包裹，即心包络。上方有肺覆盖，空悬于胸中，下方有膈膜遮蔽。心脏外体圆滑，内部空虚如囊，剖开观察四壁嶙峋，或凹或凸，中间有直肉隔开，所以有左心房、右心房之称。左右半截之间，又有横肉隔开，所以有上房、下房之号。四个房大小相似，中间有门户，由几条筋丝牵连，能自动开合。右上房有两支回流血管，一支向上，一支向下。右下房有一支大血管，长约一寸许，随即分为左右两支进入肺部。左上房有回流血管，也与肺相通。左下房有一支血脉总管，负责运送赤色血液，循行督脉，下行至血海，以散布于经脉之中。另有脑神经和白节筋密集缠绕于内，以行使功能。因此，心是运血的脏器，主宰百脉，所以被称为君主之官。
脾脏重二斤三两，扁平宽阔三寸，长五寸，有散膏半斤，主裹血，温养五脏，主藏意。
西医认为脾脏位于胃旁，形状长方而扁软，重量约六七两，血液充盈时呈深紫色。其大小形态不一，吃得太饱时会胀大，饥饿时则变小，如果患疟疾或热病，有的会胀大十余倍。位置在左胁下，与胃的脂膜相连，内有回流血管，从胃后进入肝脏。人患病时，血脉不行于体表，便蓄聚于脾，所以脾脏就会胀大。脾内回流血管壅滞，就会有血水渗泄于下部，所以肿胀类疾病也多发于脾。胰腺，是附着在脾上的器官，形状长方，重量约三四两，横贴在胃后方，头大向右，尾尖在左，右侧的大头与小肠头部为界，左侧的小尾与脾相接。中间有一条液管，由左向右横穿胰腺体部，斜入小肠上口旁边，与胆汁进入小肠的路径相同，所分泌的汁液能消化食物，其质地甜味，有人称之为甜肉。
肺脏重三斤三两，六叶两耳，共八叶，主藏魄。
西医认为肺脏位于膈肌之上，形状像悬挂的钟磬，系于气喉，颜色白如丝绸映出红色，顶尖而圆，左叶两片，右叶三片，披离下垂，右叶大于左叶，因为心尖偏向左侧，稍微占据其位置；左叶长于右叶，缘于肝经处于右侧，且稍高于脾脏。后方附着于脊柱，前方连接胸膛。肺中有管窍，上通咽喉，呼出悍气（浊气），吸入生气（清气），从而置换紫血，进入心脏化为赤血，下引心气，通达胞室。肺质轻松，外部有膜沫濡润，以辅助呼吸。
肾脏有两个，重一斤一两，主藏志。
西医认为肾脏位于第十二节脊椎骨之间，形状像猪腰子，重量约三四两，周围有三焦脂膜包裹，左右相对。左上方有脾胃及大肠下段覆盖，右上方有肝脏及大肠上段覆盖。肾中有一条油膜，贯穿脊柱，这就是肾系，下连三焦的根本。又有气管，由肾系附着脊柱向上连通心肺。两肾属水，中间的肾系属火，即命门。命门，是三焦的发源地，所以三焦主管相火，与心包络互为表里。三焦之气，游行于上、中、下三部，也就是相火的游行。
西医认为胆囊形状像梨，附着在肝脏右侧的小方叶中，贮存青色汁液，乃是由回流血液进入肝脏，感受肝木之气化而成。人进食后，小肠饱满，肠头压迫胆囊，使其汁液流入小肠之内，以融化食物，并利于传导渣滓。如果胆汁不足，则精粗不分，粪便颜色白结而不黄；胆汁过多，则上呕苦味涎沫，或下泄青色腹泻；胆管闭塞，其汁液进入血液，就会发生黄疸病。
胃重二斤二两，迂曲屈伸，长二尺六寸，周长一尺五寸，直径五寸，盛谷物二斗，水一斗五升。小肠重二斤十四两，长三丈二尺，宽二寸半，直径八分又少半分，左回叠积十六个弯曲，盛谷物二斗四升，水六升三合又大半合。大肠重二斤十二两，长二丈一尺，宽四寸，直径一寸。当脐部右回叠积十六个弯曲，盛谷物一斗，水七升半。
膀胱重九两二铢，纵广九寸，盛尿液九升九合。口腔宽二寸半，唇至牙齿长九分，牙齿以后到会厌，深三寸半，大容积五合。舌头重十两，长七寸，宽二寸半。咽门重十两，宽二寸半，至胃长一尺六寸。喉咙重十二两，宽二寸，长一尺二寸，有九节。肛门重十二两，宽八寸，直径二寸大半，长二尺八寸，受谷物九升三合八分之一合。
这即是《灵枢·肠胃篇》及《平人绝谷篇》的含义。并增加了五脏的重量，所盛放和所储藏的内容，虽然觉得前后重复，但不妨碍其反复叮咛强调。脏腑之学，西方医生讲述得较为详细，所以在注释中多采用他们的说法。然而人有高矮胖瘦不同，况且古今的度量衡标准各异，其中的丈尺和容纳量，不可拘泥，了解其大概即可。
Chapter 42 asks: What are the lengths of a person's stomach and intestines, and how much water and grain can they hold?
The answer is: The stomach has a circumference of one chi five cun, a diameter of five cun, and a length of two chi six cun. Its curved portion can hold three dou five sheng of water and grain, typically retaining two dou of grain and one dou five sheng of water. The small intestine has a circumference of two cun half, a diameter of eight fen plus a minor third part, and a length of three zhang two chi. It can hold two dou four sheng of grain and six sheng three he plus a major half he of water. The returning intestine (huichang) has a circumference of four cun, a diameter of one cun half, and a length of two zhang one chi. It can hold one dou of grain and seven sheng half of water. The broad intestine (guochang) has a circumference of eight cun, a diameter of two cun half, and a length of two chi eight cun. It can hold nine sheng three he plus one-eighth of a he of grain. Thus, the total length of the stomach and intestines is five zhang eight chi four cun, with a combined capacity for water and grain of eight dou seven sheng liu he plus one-eighth of a he. These are the measurements of the length and capacity of the stomach and intestines.
This discussion on the length and capacity of the stomach and intestines uses the method of "circumference three, diameter one" (assuming circumference is three times the diameter) for estimation, which does not match reality in many aspects, possibly due to simplification or error. However, these figures regarding length and capacity are merely approximate examples and should not be rigidly adhered to.
Commentary: Western medicine states that the stomach is curved like a bag, with a capacity of about three sheng. It lies horizontally below the diaphragm, connecting superiorly to the esophagus and inferiorly to the small intestine. Its wall consists of three layers. The outer layer has four vascular branches distributed above and below, with smaller vessels densely entangled within. Because the stomach receives more blood than other viscera, the middle muscular layer features intersecting longitudinal and transverse fibers, allowing it to contract and relax peristaltically to churn food evenly. The inner mucosal layer has small pores around its circumference to secrete gastric juices. Nerves (referred to as brain qi tendons) and fascial structures (white joint tendons) are scattered inside and outside the stomach body, linking it to all parts of the body. To the left of the stomach is the spleen, and to the right is the liver. The pancreas attaches behind the stomach. The inherent heat of the stomach is the same as other viscera but becomes stronger during digestion. Gastric juice is sour-tasting and resembles saliva; its primary function is digesting food.
The small intestine is approximately two zhang long. Its upper opening connects to the stomach, and its lower opening connects to the large intestine. The outer surface is smooth, while the inner surface is folded with dense textures. There are papillae on top, which are the openings of absorptive tubes (lymphatic/capillary vessels). These absorptive tubes absorb the essence from food. When food moves from the stomach to the head of the small intestine, it mixes with bile and pancreatic juice. As it descends, it is squeezed, extracting essences. These absorptive tubes branch extensively and spread between the mesenteric folds behind the intestine. They converge near the spine into a single main vessel called the main essence tube. This tube ascends along the spine from the waist to the neck, then turns downward to reach the heart to transform blood.
The large intestine is about five chi long, divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, each over one chi long. The junction where the upper section meets the small intestine is called the Lanmen (Appendiceal Gate). The middle section lies under the liver, crossing the bottom of the stomach. The lower section starts below the spleen, slanting down from the soft area of the left hypochondrium to the anus, forming the rectum. In the upper and middle sections, absorptive tubes still extract remaining fluids. By the time food reaches the lower section, the essences are exhausted, leaving only dregs.
The liver weighs four jin four liang. It has three lobes on the left and four on the right, totaling seven lobes. It houses the Hun (Ethereal Soul).
Western medicine locates the liver in the right hypochondrium. It has five lobes, is purple-red in color, and weighs about thirty to forty liang. A long isthmus connects the two main lobes; the right lobe is larger than the left. Below the right lobe is a small square lobe where the gallbladder attaches. Posterior-inferior to the right lobe is another lobe, not very large, named the posterior lobe, with an especially small tail. Extending from the base of the posterior lobe to the end of the right lobe, this structure covers superiorly and cups inferiorly, rests against the stomach on the left, is bounded inferiorly by the cardia, and is wrapped superiorly by the Sanjiao membrane. Each of the left and right lobes emits a bile duct. These merge for about one cun, then split again: one penetrates the head of the small intestine, and the other penetrates the gallbladder. This channel transports bile to the small intestine to dissolve food. Inside the liver, there are venous return vessels to nourish the liver and connect with bile. Although the liver is not anatomically situated solely on the left, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver corresponds to Wind-Wood and the Xun trigram. Old theories stating the liver resides on the left refer to the ascending nature of Wind-Wood Qi, not anatomical position. If the Liver is obstructed by Heat, it may swell several times its normal size. If the vessels stagnate, blood and fluid leak into the mesenteric wraps, accumulating gradually and causing abdominal distension. Therefore, conditions like Gu Zhang (abdominal distension with masses) are often attributed to the Liver.
The heart weighs twelve liang. It has seven orifices and three hairs, holds three he of essence fluid, and houses the Shen (Spirit).
Western medicine describes the heart as bright red, weighing about ten liang, wide at the top and pointed at the bottom. It is surrounded by a membranous wrap, known as the Pericardium (Xin Bao Luo). It is covered by the lungs above, suspended in the chest, and shielded by the diaphragm below. The external surface is smooth, while the interior is hollow like a sac. Upon dissection, the walls appear rugged, concave, and convex. A septum divides it vertically, creating the Left Atrium and Right Atrium. A horizontal muscle separates the upper and lower halves, creating the Upper Chambers and Lower Chambers. The four chambers are roughly equal in size, separated by valves connected by fibrous strands that allow automatic opening and closing. The Right Upper Chamber has two venous returns, one ascending and one descending. The Right Lower Chamber has one large vessel, about one cun long, which splits into left and right branches entering the lungs. The Left Upper Chamber has venous returns also communicating with the lungs. The Left Lower Chamber has a main arterial trunk responsible for transporting red blood, following the Du Meridian, descending to the Sea of Blood, and dispersing through the meridians. Nerves and fascial structures are densely entangled within to perform functions. Thus, the Heart is the organ of blood circulation, governing all vessels, and is therefore the Ruler Organ.
The spleen weighs two jin three liang. It is flat, three cun wide, and five cun long. It contains half a jin of "scattered paste" (pancreas), envelopes the blood, warms the five Zang organs, and houses the Yi (Intellect).
Western medicine places the spleen beside the stomach. It is rectangular, flat, and soft, weighing about six to seven liang. It appears deep purple when blood-filled. Its size varies; it enlarges after overeating and shrinks when hungry. In cases of malaria or febrile diseases, it may enlarge tenfold. Located in the left hypochondrium, it connects to the gastric fat membrane. Venous return flows from the stomach posteriorly into the liver. When diseased, blood fails to circulate externally and accumulates in the spleen, causing enlargement. Stagnation of venous return in the spleen leads to leakage of blood and fluid downward, so edematous disorders often originate in the Spleen. The pancreas is attached to the spleen. It is rectangular, weighing about three to four liang, lying horizontally behind the stomach. Its head is large and faces right, while its tail is pointed and faces left. The right head borders the small intestine head, and the left tail connects to the spleen. A duct runs horizontally from left to right through the pancreas, obliquely entering the side of the small intestine's upper opening, sharing the path with bile. The secreted juice digests food; it is sweet-tasting and sometimes called "sweet flesh."
The lungs weigh three jin three liang. They have six lobes and two ears, totaling eight lobes, and house the Po (Corporeal Soul).
Western medicine locates the lungs above the diaphragm, shaped like a hanging bell, attached to the trachea. They are white like silk with a reddish hue, pointed at the apex and round elsewhere. There are two lobes on the left and three on the right, hanging loosely. The right lobe is larger because the cardiac apex deviates slightly to the left. The left lobe is longer because the liver meridian passes on the right, and the lung sits slightly higher than the spleen. Posteriorly attached to the spine, anteriorly connected to the chest, the lungs have tubular openings communicating with the throat to exhale turbid Qi and inhale clear Qi, thereby exchanging purple blood for red blood in the heart. They draw Heart Qi downward to the uterus/womb. Lung tissue is light and porous, moistened externally by membranous foam to assist respiration.
There are two kidneys, weighing one jin one liang, housing the Zhi (Willpower).
Western medicine locates the kidneys between the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. They resemble pig kidneys, weighing about three to four liang each. They are wrapped in Sanjiao fat membranes and lie opposite each other. The upper left is covered by the stomach, spleen, and lower large intestine; the upper right is covered by the liver and upper large intestine. An oily membrane runs through the spine from the kidney, known as the Kidney Cord, connecting inferiorly to the root of the Sanjiao. Another tube attaches to the spinal cord via the Kidney Cord and ascends to connect with the Heart and Lungs. The two Kidneys belong to Water, while the central Kidney Cord belongs to Fire, which is the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Mingmen is the source of the Sanjiao. Thus, the Sanjiao governs Ministerial Fire and stands in exterior-interior relationship with the Pericardium. The Qi of the Sanjiao circulates through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao, representing the circulation of Ministerial Fire.
The gallbladder is located between the short lobes of the liver, weighs three liang three zhu, and holds three he of essence fluid.
Western medicine describes the gallbladder as pear-shaped, attached to the small square lobe on the right side of the liver. It stores green bile, formed when venous blood enters the liver and undergoes transformation via Wood Qi. After eating, the full small intestine compresses the gallbladder, forcing bile into the intestine to dissolve food and facilitate the passage of dregs. Insufficient bile results in undigested food, white stool, and lack of yellow color. Excess bile causes vomiting of bitter saliva or green diarrhea. Biliary obstruction allows bile to enter the blood, causing Jaundice (Dan Huang).
The stomach weighs two jin two liang, is curved and flexible, two chi six cun long, one chi five cun in circumference, five cun in diameter, holding two dou of grain and one dou five sheng of water. The small intestine weighs two jin fourteen liang, is three zhang two chi long, two cun half wide, eight fen plus a minor third part in diameter, with sixteen curves in the left loop, holding two dou four sheng of grain and six sheng three he plus a major half he of water. The large intestine weighs two jin twelve liang, is two zhang one chi long, four cun wide, one cun in diameter. At the navel, the right loop has sixteen curves, holding one dou of grain and seven sheng half of water.
The bladder weighs nine liang two zhu, is nine cun long and wide, and holds nine sheng nine he of urine. The mouth is two cun half wide; lips to teeth are nine fen long; teeth to epiglottis are three cun half deep, with a capacity of five he. The tongue weighs ten liang, is seven cun long and two cun half wide. The pharynx gate weighs ten liang, is two cun half wide, and extends one chi six cun to the stomach. The larynx weighs twelve liang, is two cun wide, one chi two cun long, and has nine segments. The anus weighs twelve liang, is eight cun wide, two cun half in diameter, two chi eight cun long, and holds nine sheng three he plus one-eighth of a he of grain.
This aligns with the meanings found in *Ling Shu: Chang Gu Pian* and *Ping Ren Jue Gu Pian*. Additional data on the weight, content, and storage of the Five Zang organs are included. Although repetitive, this serves as careful emphasis. Western physicians describe visceral anatomy in greater detail, so their views are frequently cited in annotations. However, human bodies vary in size and robustness, and ancient and modern standards of measurement differ. Therefore, specific dimensions and capacities should not be rigidly applied; understanding the general principles is sufficient.