• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.921-923
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• 2010

Although Bi(脾 Spleen) is a major organ which controls digestion and absorption in Korean medicine, there also introduced another function of bi, which is called 'bitonghyul(脾統血)' that means the spleen controls(holdings) the blood. While the spleen is involved in the function of blood generation through the digestion and absorption of food, 'bitonghyul' is another expression regarding function of the spleen. The meaning of 'bitonghyul' is related with the function of keeping the blood flowing within the blood vessels, hemostasis. Comparing the function of the spleen with the mechanisms of hemostais, it is concluded that 'bitonghyul' is a physiological effects which affect hemostatic mechanisms via absorption of vitamin K.