Concept

Zong-pectoral qi

宗气zong qi

2 sources

In Chinese medicine, the pectoral qi gathered in the chest from food essence and inhaled air. The Neijing states that zong-qi accumulates in the chest, issues from the throat, threads the heart vessel and drives respiration, supporting breathing, voice, and the circulation of qi and blood.

Source

Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor)《灵枢·邪客》（内经选读下篇·藏象·气血营卫·原文2207）

References

《内经》本神/决气/邪客等综合理解（德气生精神魂魄意志思虑智认知层级链 / 营卫宗气津液生成运行）
WHO IST-TCM 2022 术语对齐（WGM2# 236）

Full definition

Classical source text (Chinese) — English summary above.

宗氣積於胸中，出於喉嚨，以貫心脈，而行呼吸焉

Citations

Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) · 托名黄帝/岐伯（先秦—西汉医家辑） · 《灵枢·邪客》（内经选读下篇·藏象·气血营卫·原文2207）Cited from Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) for its definition.
WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine · World Health Organization · WHO IST-TCM 2022, WGM2# 236 (§1.4 精气血津液类)Cited from WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine for its standardized terminology.