(3)        Protruding tongue:  protruded tongue with difficulty or inability to withdraw.  Generally, the protrusion is caused by the looseness in the muscle and tendon of the tongue.  The usual causes are internal excessive heat, firy phlegm disturbing the heart and deficiency in Qi.

(4)               The shortened and retracted tongue:  this is when the retracted tongue cannot protrude even to the teeth.  This may be due to the cold freezing the meridians, cramping and retracting muscle; internal blockage because of damp-phlegm, leading to movement in liver-wind, blocking root of tongue with wind-phlegm; excessive heat drying up fluid, cramping tendons; body could not nourish and warm the tongue because both Qi and blood are deficient.  Whether it be deficiency or excess, both are considered serious health conditions.