si zhen

si zhen (sē dzn),

n in traditional Chinese medicine, the four types of examination used to diagnose an illness; include observation (visual examination to look for abnormalities in the complexion, tongue, facial expression, gait), listening (to detect abnormalities in the patient's voice and respiration), questioning (about diet, sleep, excretion, and symptoms), and palpation and touch (involves taking six pulses on each wrist to determine the depth and quality of each).