The Ear, Nose and Throat: Their Relationships with Viscera,

Viscera are the material basis of the physiological functions of the human body, and meridians and collaterals are the channels where qi and blood of the human body circulate, and through which the general organs communicate with limbs. Normal functioning of the ear, nose and throat depends on the coordinative activities of viscera,meridians and collaterals, while the pathological changes of the ear, nose and throat result from the dysfunctions of one or more regions of viscera, meridians and collaterals as well. Therefore, the analysis of the clinical manifestations of diseases of the ear, nose and throat should be connected with viscera, meridians and collaterals, and should not individually consider the local pathological changes of the ear, nose and throat. This also embodies the concept of TCM holism.