[A study on relationship of purple tongue and its regional blood flow].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship of purple tongue and its regional blood flow.


METHODS
Laser-Doppler flow meter was employed to test the volume and velocity of blood flow at different sites of purple tongue (56 cases) and normal tongue (54 cases), and the test results were analyzed.


RESULTS
The volume of blood flow of purple tongue was significantly lower than that of the normal tongue (P<0.01), while the velocity was significantly higher (P<0.01). The volume and velocity of blood flow at different sites of the tongue were similar without significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
The volume of blood flow of purple tongue is decreased and the velocity increased. Purple tongue may be caused by dysfunction of the microcirculation of the tongue.
Zhang
Cun-Jun
CJ
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First People  s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China.
Wang
Song-Po
SP
Yang
Hong
H
Ci
Jie
J
Jiang
Yong
Y
Jiang
Zheng-Ming
ZM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*