Definition
noun
An ancient Greek theory stating that the body is composed of four basic humors such as black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood that were used as a basis to determine the health of an individual. According to this theory, the four humors have to be in balance in order to be healthy. Otherwise, an excess or deficit on one of them results in disease or disability in the personality or physical health of an individual.
Supplement
This theory was related and likened to the theory of the earth having four elements such as earth, fire, water and air in which balance in these elements allow for human life.
Related to this theory is the theory of temperament. (see: temperament theory)
Word origin: from the Latin umore = fluid
Also called: humoral doctrine, humoralism, humorism.
Synonym: fluidism.
Dictionary > Humoral theory
You will also like...
Human Reproduction
Humans are capable of only one mode of reproduction, i.e. sexual reproduction. Haploid sex cells (gametes) are produced ..
Plant Metabolism
Plants are responsible for incredible feats of molecular transformation. Plant processes, such as photosynthesis, photop..
Growth and Plant Hormones
Plants, like animals, produce hormones to regulate plant activities, including growth. They need these hormones to respo..
The Conscious & Unconscious Nervous System
This tutorial elaborates on how the nervous system works, particularly at the tissue level of the brain. There are three..
Genetic Control – On and Off Genes
Genes are the blueprint of our bodies, a blueprint that creates a variety of proteins essential to any organism's surviv..
DNA Structure & DNA Replication
DNA is a double helix structure comprised of nucleotides. A nucleotide, in turn, is made up of phosphate molecule, deoxy..