The San Jiao (三焦) is a traditional Chinese medical (TCM) concept of a functional organ that is not found outside of TCM (see Zang Fu theory). San Jiao has been translated as "triple heater," "triple warmer," and "triple burner," the latter of which is probably favored because of the involvement of the San Jiao in metabolism (burner meaning "metaboliser"). Like most other organs, the San Jiao has a meridian named for it which is also a reflection of the energetic health of the organ. The San Jiao meridian is located from the fingernail of the ring finger, up the outside center of the hand and arm, behind the top of the shoulder but above the shoulder blade, up the neck to behind the ear, then up and around the base of the ear to the top & front, then on the outer tip of the eye brow. TCM shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues, which perform a specific function or group of functions. ... Zang-Fu theory is a concept within traditional Chinese medicine, part of the TCM model of the body. ... Santorio Santorio (1561-1636) in his steelyard balance, from Ars de statica medecina, first published 1614 Metabolism (from μεταβολισμος (metabolismos)) is the biochemical modification of chemical compounds in living organisms and cells. ... The concept of meridians (Chinese: jing-luo) arises from the techniques and doctrines of traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture and acupressure. ...

In TCM theory, the San Jiao is a yang organ paired with the pericardium which is the yin organ associated with it. Yang organs are typically hollow, whereas yin organs are more solid. The triple burner, however, is said to be primarily energetic and does not have a physical component, unlike all the other organs in TCM. The San Jiao occupies the trunk of the body, in three compartments (hence the "triple" in its name). The upper compartment is the chest down to the diaphragm - which is associated with respiration. The middle compartment is from the diaphragm to the umbilicus - which is associated with digestion. The lower compartment is from the umbilicus to the top of the pubic bone - which is associated with elimination. However, in dissecting a body, one would not be able to find a structure that could be called the San Jiao. Terms and concepts in alternative medicine provides a glossary of quick and to the point definitions of important terms and concepts unique to alternative medicine (CAM). ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Pericardium, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... Chest of a human male The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals. ... A diaphragm is some sort of separating membrane. ... An umbilicus which appears as a depression in the abdomen is referred to as an innie. The umbilicus (commonly called a navel, or belly or tummy button), is essentially a scar caused at birth by the removal of the umbilical cord from a newborn baby. ... The ventral and anterior of the three principal bones composing either half of the pelvis -- called the pubic bone. ... Dissected rat showing major organs. ...

The San Jiao is said to be a metabolism mechanism similar to an old-fashioned water wheel that is turned by incoming water and creates energy for accomplishing a task, such as grinding grain in the case of the water wheel, or for metabolising and digesting food in the case of the San Jiao. The San Jiao is closely associated with the spleen functions of transformation and transportation, particularly the metabolism of incoming food. The San Jiao is also closely associated with the kidney's function in TCM. The San Jiao, however, is not limited to one metabolism function as the spleen or kidneys are, but is a general metaboliser which can be applied to a variety of metabolism needs. An overshot water wheel standing 42 feet high powers the Old Mill at Berry College in Rome, Georgia A water wheel (also waterwheel, Norse mill, Persian wheel or noria) is a hydropower system; a system for extracting power from a flow of water. ... Digestion is the process whereby a biological entity processes a substance, in order to chemically convert the substance into nutrients. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Spleen, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Kidneys, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ...

Related to the fire Element of the Chinese Five Elements. The five elements usually refer to wood, fire, earth, metal, and water in East Asian philosophy. ...

External links

• San Jiao article