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Difficulty 25 states: There are twelve meridians, yet there are only five zang organs and six fu organs, totaling eleven. Which meridian is the extra one? The answer is: The extra meridian refers to the divergent channel of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and the Pericardium Master (Xin Zhu). The Pericardium Master and the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) form an interior-exterior relationship; both have names but no distinct physical form. Therefore, it is said that there are twelve meridians.

Difficulty 26 states: There are twelve meridians and fifteen collaterals. What are the remaining three collaterals? The answer is: There are the Yang Qiao collateral, the Yin Qiao collateral, and the large collateral of the Spleen. The "Yang collateral" refers to the collateral of the Yang Qiao vessel. The "Yin collateral" refers to the collateral of the Yin Qiao vessel. Thus, there are fifteen in total.

Difficulty 27 states: Among the pulses, there are the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, which are not restricted by the Twelve Regular Meridians. Why is this so? The answer is: There are the Yang Wei, Yin Wei, Yang Qiao, Yin Qiao, Chong, Du, Ren, and Dai vessels. All these eight vessels are not bound by the regular meridians, hence they are called the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.
Given that there are twelve meridians and fifteen collaterals, comprising twenty-seven qi pathways that follow each other up and down, why are the extraordinary vessels specifically not constrained by the regular meridians? The answer is: Sages dug canals to facilitate water flow, preparing for contingencies. When heavy rain falls and the canals overflow, even if torrential rains occur, the sages cannot redraw the channels. Similarly, when the collateral vessels become full and overflow, the regular meridians can no longer constrain them.

Difficulty 28 states: Since the Eight Extraordinary Vessels are not constrained by the Twelve Regular Meridians, where do they originate and where do they connect? The answer is: The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) originates at the Shu point of the lower extreme [Changqiang, GV1], runs parallel within the spinal column, ascends to the Fengfu point [GV16], and enters to reside in the brain. The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below the Zhongji point [CV3], ascends above the pubic hair line, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan point [CV4], and reaches the throat. The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates at the Qichong point [ST30], runs alongside the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, ascends flanking the navel, and disperses in the chest. The Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) originates at the costal region and encircles the body once. The Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel) originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the lateral malleolus, and enters the Fengchi point [GB20]. The Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) also originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the medial malleolus, reaches the throat, and intersects with the Chong Mai. The Yang Wei and Yin Wei vessels maintain and link the body; when qi and blood overflow, they cannot circulate and irrigate the regular meridians. Therefore, the Yang Wei originates from the meeting point of all yang meridians, and the Yin Wei originates from the intersection of all yin meridians. This is analogous to sages digging canals; when the canals overflow, water flows into deep lakes, and the sages cannot constrain it. Similarly, when human pulse qi becomes vigorous, it enters the eight extraordinary vessels without circulating continuously, so the twelve regular meridians cannot constrain it. When these vessels are affected by pathogenic factors and accumulation occurs, swelling and heat result, which should be treated by pricking with bi stones [to release blood].