This article compares and analyzes the content and theoretical structure of the concept of pathogenesis from the national textbooks of Basic Theory of Chinese Medicine and Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine from the first to the ninth version. The authors consider the mechanism as the main content of pathogenesis concept in contemporary Chinese medicine. During the construction of this concept

the concept of pathology has a profound influence

which differs a lot from the emphasis on "key"in ancient pathogenesis content

mainly reflected in clinical diagnosis and treatment ideas transferring from dealing with "key issues"to dealing with "abstract concept". This change is associated with the impact of western medicine on modern Chinese medicine

emphasizing the "mechanism"and so on

so that the ancient Xiang（ 象） concept is marginalized.