膏こう肓こう

noun

innermost part of the body; vital region beyond medical reach

Classical term from Chinese medicine, referring to the deep interior of the body where disease becomes untreatable. Now mostly encountered in the set phrase 病膏肓に入る (やまいこうこうにいる), meaning 'the disease has reached a critical, incurable stage'.

See also: 病膏肓に入る (やまいこうこうにいる)

• 「病やまい膏こう肓こうに入いる」という表ひょう現げんは、病びょう気きが治なおらないほど深ふかくなった状じょう態たいを指さす。

  The expression 病膏肓に入る refers to a state where an illness has become so deep that it cannot be cured.