The liver resides under the right lower ribcage. Its main physiological functions are storing and regulating blood, creating unrestrained conditions for qi (vital energy) flow. The body movement, emotions and menstruation are also associated with it. The eyes and nails are important external checking parameters for assessing its condition. The gall bladder stores bile, which aids digestion, and in TCM, it also rules decision and is related to bravery. The liver meridian communicates with the gall bladder meridian creating an exterior and interior relationship. Thus, these organs influence each other closely.

The important signs in liver diseases are pain in the ribcage where the liver meridian passes, irritability, being easily angered, dizziness, distending headache, blurred vision or eye discomfort, menstrual problems, Infant Convulsions, trembling limbs and distending pain in the testes of males.