Liver in the Chinese and Western Medicine

Abstract

Background: The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the 5-element theory, which emphasizes the importance of the dynamic balance among the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney. It is quite confusing that the 5 viscera in TCM share the same names with the organs in Western medicine. Spleen is the only viscus that differs most from the modern concept, while the remaining 4 viscera can all find similarities with the corresponding organs in Western medicine; however, the viscus in TCM is always a broader concept. Key Messages: The 5 major functions of the liver in TCM correspond to the nerve-endocrine-immune network in Western medicine, and all of the functions are associated with emotion.