Throat

The cavity passing through the neck comprising the pharynx (upper part) and larynx (lower part). A red sore hot swollen throat or throat nodes (tonsils) indicate stomach or lung heat flaming upward; if yellowish-white putrefaction speckles are also present, the cause is intense toxic heat. A dry red sore throat generally with slight swelling indicates yīn vacuity with effulgent fire. A pale red sore throat without the presence of heat or swelling may indicate vacuity fire floating upward. A slightly red sore swollen throat with grayish-white putrefaction speckles or patches that are not easily removed may be diphtheria, which is attributable to scorching of lung-stomach yīn liquid by dryness-heat. Diseases affecting the throat include: throat moth; throat wind; throat impediment; throat lichen; welling-abscess of the throat; diphtheria.