Confusion between Muscle and Flesh

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Introduction

In some books, it states:

  • spleen governs muscle
  • liver governs tendon and sinew

While in others:

  • spleen governs flesh
  • liver governs muscle

So, does the muscle belong to the liver or the spleen? The issue arises from translating the function-based Hanja characters structurally or anatomically. Moreover, invoking the archaic term "sinew" further muddles the meaning, which is shame and pretentious.


Sinew

a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament.

Oxford Languages


Main Argument

Let's first understand the Hanja characters 筋 (jīn) and 肉 (ròu). Why? Because traditional Chinese medicine classics explain it as:

  • Spleen governs 肉
  • Liver governs 筋

Simply put, if we can decipher whether 筋 is muscle or 肉 is muscle, we can determine which of the two books is incorrect.


1. Reference from Collins Dictionary

  • 肉 (ròu) - 1. (referring to humans) flesh 2. (referring to animals) meat
  • 筋 (jīn) - 1. (tendon) tendon 2. (muscle) muscle

According to the Collins Dictionary, 筋 is translated as muscle.


2. Reference from Google Translate

  • 肉 (ròu) - Meat
  • 筋 (jīn) - muscle

Here again, 筋 is translated as muscle.

Hence, from a general perspective, it's natural to translate:

  • spleen governs 肉 as governing flesh or meat
  • liver governs 筋 as governing muscle or tendon


Analyzing the Issue

This confusion arises from the attempt to anatomically name 肉 and 筋, which is differentiated, based on their functions in TCM. While 肉 refers to the structural part, 筋 denotes the part in action. Even when discussing the same muscle, fat, or tendon, if it's inert (like meat) or not in motion, it falls under the category of the spleen. The spleen represents the earth, foundation, and soil, which is why fluids also belong to the spleen. On the other hand, 筋 combines the Hanja for flesh (月) with the one for labor or power (力), signifying a part that exerts force. It means the parts within the flesh that aren't bones but exert force, making it equivalent to muscles and tendons.


Though the same part may belong to either the spleen or liver based on its structure and function, it seems most natural to translate:

  • 肉 (ròu) as flesh, fat, or soft tissue which is not muscle or tendon
  • 筋 (jīn) as muscle or tendon


Therefore:


  • Spleen governs Flesh
  • Liver governs Muscle