ISO 23961-2-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 23961-2:2021 — Traditional Chinese medicine — Vocabulary for diagnostics — Part 2: Pulse. This International Standard defines the standardized English terminology, the corresponding classical Chinese characters and concise definitions for terms used in pulse diagnosis within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Abstract

This document specifies the basic terminology of pulse diagnostic methods, the key elements of pulse and pulse conditions. Each listed term includes an English name, the classical Chinese characters and a definition intended to support consistent use by clinicians, educators, translators and standards developers working with TCM diagnostics.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: November 4, 2021 (published November 2021).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.040.11 (Health care technology — Vocabularies); 11.040.55 (Diagnostic equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (first edition, 2021).
• Number of pages: 21 pages.

Key bibliographic and status details above are taken from the ISO bibliographic entry and standard distributors.

Scope

ISO 23961-2:2021 establishes a controlled vocabulary for the practice and study of TCM pulse diagnosis. It covers terms related to methods of pulse examination, anatomical/physiological pulse elements, categorical pulse conditions and descriptive qualifiers used in diagnostic reporting. The scope is limited to terminology (names, Chinese characters and definitions) rather than clinical procedures or therapeutic guidance.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized terms for pulse diagnostic methods (names and definitions).
• Inclusion of classical Chinese characters alongside English equivalents to preserve original terminology.
• Definitions of key pulse elements (e.g., depth, rate, strength, quality descriptors) and recognized pulse conditions.
• Consistent classification structure to support translation, education and interoperability across TCM documentation systems.
• Guidance for use of terms in clinical records, research and regulatory contexts where standardized vocabulary is required.

These topics reflect the document’s role as a vocabulary reference intended to harmonize language used in pulse diagnosis.

Typical use and users

Primary users include TCM practitioners and educators, clinical researchers, medical translators, terminology managers, standards bodies and health regulators who need consistent TCM diagnostic vocabulary. Typical uses are: creating curricula and textbooks, annotating clinical records, aligning cross-language documents, supporting health IT interoperability and informing regulatory or conformity activities related to TCM diagnostics.

Related standards

ISO 23961 is a multi-part vocabulary series for TCM diagnostics. Related published parts include ISO 23961-1:2021 (Part 1: Tongue) and ISO/TS 23961-3:2024 (Part 3: Abdomen — Technical Specification). These companion parts cover tongue diagnosis terminology and abdominal diagnosis terminology respectively, forming a coherent set of diagnostic vocabularies under ISO/TC 249.

Keywords

Traditional Chinese medicine; TCM; pulse diagnosis; vocabulary; terminology; diagnostics; classical Chinese characters; ISO 23961; ISO/TC 249; diagnostic vocabulary.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 23961-2:2021 is an international vocabulary standard that defines terms, classical Chinese characters and definitions used for pulse diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the names and definitions of pulse diagnostic methods, the elements and qualities of pulses, and standardized descriptors of pulse conditions; it does not specify clinical procedures or treatment protocols.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: TCM clinicians and educators, translators, researchers, standards and terminology specialists, and health authorities who require a harmonized diagnostic vocabulary for documentation, education, research and regulatory use.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of its publication it is a current, published ISO International Standard (first edition, published November 2021). Users should check ISO or their national standards body for any updates or amendments after 2021.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 23961 is a multipart vocabulary series for TCM diagnostics; Part 1 addresses tongue terminology (ISO 23961-1:2021) and Part 3 (ISO/TS 23961-3:2024) covers abdomen terminology.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: Traditional Chinese medicine, pulse diagnosis, vocabulary, terminology, diagnostics, Chinese characters, ISO 23961, diagnostic descriptors.