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The Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel, Hand-Shaoyin Heart Channel, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Channel, Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Channel, Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel, Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Channel, Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel, Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel, Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Channel, and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium.

The *Classic of Internal Medicine* (*Huangdi Neijing*) states: This refers to the third classification of Yin and Yang. What is meant by "Qi having different quantities and diverse functions"? What is Yangming? It means the combination of two Yangs resulting in brightness. What is Jueyin? It means the exhaustion of the intersection of two Yins. (This clarifies the meanings of the two Yin channels, three Yang channels, as well as Yangming and Jueyin. Taiyin is the primary Yin; Shaoyin is secondary; Jueyin is tertiary. Taiyang is the primary Yang; Shaoyang is secondary; Yangming is tertiary. Because their Qi varies in quantity and function, they are divided into these three categories respectively. 'Jue' implies deficiency or end.)

Generally, the human body has fourteen main meridians. The Liver and Gallbladder are interior-exteriorly related; the Bladder and Kidney are interior-exteriorly related; the Stomach and Spleen are interior-exteriorly related. These constitute the Yin-Yang relationships of the Foot channels. The Small Intestine and Heart are interior-exteriorly related; the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and Pericardium are interior-exteriorly related; the Taiyang channel and Lung are interior-exteriorly related. These constitute the Yin-Yang relationships of the Hand channels. *(Note: Textual error in source likely intended Large Intestine/Lung relation, but translated literally as Taiyang/Lung per instruction).*

The three Yin channels of the Hand travel from the Zang organs to the hands; the three Yang channels of the Hand travel from the hands to the head; the three Yang channels of the Foot travel from the head down to the feet; the three Yin channels of the Foot travel from the feet up into the abdomen. Additionally, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) runs straight along the midline of the abdomen, and the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) runs straight along the midline of the back. Among these fourteen meridians, the Jingmai (Primary Meridians) circulate Qi and Blood, connect Yin and Yang, and nourish the body. The Luomai (Collateral Vessels) are lateral branches emerging from the primary meridians, serving to connect the twelve regular meridians. The meridians of one primary channel intersect with others via the collateral vessels, and vice versa. When the Qi in the primary meridians is abundant, it flows into the collaterals; when the Qi in the collaterals is abundant, it flows into the primary meridians. Thus circulating continuously without pause, flowing day and night in accordance with the cosmos, ending and beginning anew. However, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) travels within the vessels, completing fifty cycles regardless of day or night Yin-Yang distinctions; Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) travels outside the vessels, completing fifty cycles with a distinction between daytime Yang and nighttime Yin. The movement of Ying and Wei Qi is led by the respiration of Zong Qi (Gathering Qi). Wei Qi arises at dawn and declines at dusk; Ying Qi remains latent and invisible, whereas what becomes visible are the Primary Meridians; what floats and is constantly visible are the Collateral Vessels. If Ying and Wei Qi are damaged, and external pathogens invade due to deficiency, stagnation occurs, and diseases arise from this.

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel has eleven acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and scarce Blood. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Channel has twenty-one acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and scarce Blood. The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel has twenty acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and Blood. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel has forty-five acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and Blood. The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Channel has nine acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and scarce Blood. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Channel has twenty-six acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and scarce Blood. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel (Source text says Hand-Shaoyang Small Intestine, which is anatomically incorrect as Small Intestine is Taiyang, but translating literally): nineteen acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Blood and Qi. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel has sixty-three acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium has nine acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel has thirteen acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel has twenty-two acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and scarce Blood. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel has forty-three acupoints on each side; this channel has abundant Qi and scarce Blood. Adding the twenty-four acupoints in the midline of the Ren Mai and the twenty-seven acupoints in the midline of the Du Mai, the network of meridians and acupoints in the human body is complete. A physician who understands these principles will naturally find that herbal medicine and acupuncture yield immediate results.

The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) runs along the midline of the back and serves as the chief commander of all Yang channels, hence it is called the Sea of Yang Channels. The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) runs along the midline of the abdomen and serves as the general manager of all Yin channels, hence it is called the Sea of Yin Channels. Named thus, they are two of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. Therefore, the back is Yang and the abdomen is Yin. There are normal and extraordinary pulses. The twelve regular meridians represent the normal pulses; the Eight Extraordinary Vessels do not adhere to the norms, hence they are called "Extraordinary." Generally, human Qi and Blood flow through the twelve meridians; when the qi and blood in these channels become full, they overflow into the extraordinary vessels. There are eight such vessels: The Du Mai governs posteriorly; the Ren Mai governs anteriorly; the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is the sea of all vessels; the Yangwei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) originates from the convergence of all Yang channels and maintains them; the Yinwei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) originates from the intersection of all Yin channels and maintains them. When Yin and Yang maintain each other, the regular meridians remain harmonious and smooth. There is also the Daimai (Belt Vessel), which binds the waist like a belt. The two Qiaomai (Heel Vessels) consist of Yangqiao and Yinqiao. The Yangqiao Mai derives from a branch of the Taiyang channel, originating in the heel, following the outer ankle, and ascending to the Fengchi acupoint. The Yinqiao Mai originates from a branch of the Shaoyin channel, starting in the heel, following the inner ankle, ascending to the throat, and crossing through the Chong Mai. This is akin to sages digging canals to prevent floodwaters, thereby avoiding disasters of overflowing. Thus, the meridians in the human body are like rivers in heaven and earth; the circulation of blood within the meridians is like spring water flowing through riverbeds. If the riverbeds are blocked, water floods uncontrollably; if the springs dry up, the underground qi and blood pathways become obstructed. The same applies to the Qi and Blood in the human body's meridians. However, for a physician to understand the meridians is like a boatman knowing the routes; otherwise, how could one navigate?