The stomach is located in the upper abdominal cavity, connected with esophagus and small intestine. The gastric cavity is called the epigastric cavity, which is divided into three parts: the upper part of the stomach is the epigastric cavity, including the cardia; The lower part of the stomach is under the upper abdomen, including pylorus; The part between the upper and lower cups is called Zhongwan. The cardia is connected with the esophagus, and the pylorus is connected with the small intestine, which is the passage for food and drink to enter and leave the stomach. The main physiological function of the stomach is to control the acceptance and decline of Shui Gu's disease, and its physiological characteristics are to control the flow and decline, and to love moistening and hate dryness.
(1) Main physiological functions
1. Moderator and receiver Shui Gu
(1) Meaning: The stomach governs the acceptance of Shui Gu, indicating that stomach qi has the function of accepting and accommodating dietary Shui Gu.
(2) Manifestation: Diet enters the stomach through the esophagus (pharynx) and is accepted and accommodated by the stomach under the action of reducing stomach qi, so the stomach is called "Taicang" and "Sea of Water Valley".
2. The main rotting Shui Gu
(1) Meaning: Stomach governs Shui Gu, which refers to the function of stomach qi to preliminarily digest diet and form chyme.
(2) Manifestation: After the stomach qi is ground and decomposed, fine substances are absorbed and transferred from the spleen to nourish the whole body, while undigested chyme is passed down to the small intestine for further digestion.
The Shui Gu absorption and decomposition function of stomach qi must be coordinated with the transportation function of spleen qi. Only when absorption and transportation are coordinated can Shui Gu be transformed into subtlety, and then essence, blood and body fluid can be produced to support the whole body.
(2) Physiological characteristics
1. main switch
(1) Meaning: The stomach controls the flow and descent, which means that the stomach qi should be kept unobstructed and descend.
(2) Manifestation: The hypotensive effect of stomach qi is mainly reflected in the digestion of diet and the excretion of dregs: ① the food and drink contained in the stomach; ② Submerge chyme to small intestine for further digestion; ③ Move the food residue down to the large intestine and dry it to form feces; (4) Promote proper excretion of feces.
The method of stomach governing downward is to reduce turbidity, which is the premise of acceptance. Therefore, if the stomach fails, there will be symptoms such as anorexia, epigastric fullness or pain and constipation. If the stomach qi rises instead of falling, nausea, vomiting, hiccups and belching will occur.
2. Love moisture and hate dryness
(1) Meaning: The stomach likes moistening and the stomach hates dryness, which means that the stomach should keep enough body fluid to facilitate the acceptance and decomposition of food and drink.
(2) Manifestation: The stomach is yang soil, which likes to moisten dryness and hates dryness, so it is prone to dryness and heat, and the more body fluid in the stomach is damaged. Therefore, when treating stomach diseases, we should pay attention to protecting the body fluid in the stomach.