Library

The *Classic of Difficult Issues* (Nan Jing) states: The Upper Jiao is like mist and dew; the Middle Jiao is like fermentation and soaking; the Lower Jiao is like a drainage ditch. It also states: The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is the official responsible for waterways, through which fluids are discharged. Furthermore, it states: This meridian (Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian) has little blood but abundant Qi.

The *Zhongzang Jing* (Classic of the Inner Viscera) states: The Sanjiao is the collective term for the Three Yuan Qi of the human body, known as the "Middle Clear Mansion." It commands the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive) Qi, meridians, and the Qi within and without, left and right, above and below. When the Sanjiao is unobstructed, the Qi within and without, left and right, above and below, all flow freely. In irrigating the entire body, harmonizing the interior and exterior, nourishing the left and supporting the right, guiding the upper and venting the lower, nothing surpasses its importance.

The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian originates at the lateral tip of the ring finger and middle finger, ascends between these two fingers, follows the dorsum of the hand and wrist, emerges between the radius and ulna in the forearm, ascends through the elbow, follows the lateral aspect of the arm, reaches the shoulder, crosses posterior to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, enters the supraclavicular fossa (Quepen), spreads in the chest center (Shanzhong), disperses and connects with the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, and successively belongs to the Upper, Middle, and Lower Sanjiao. Its branch arises from the Shanzhong, ascends out of the Quepen, goes up the neck, runs behind the ear, ascends directly to the upper corner of the ear, then curves down to the cheek, reaching the infraorbital region; another branch enters the ear from behind it, exits anterior to the ear, passes anterior to the Keyrenzhuren point, crosses the cheek, and terminates at the outer canthus of the eye.

Song of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian Course: Originating at the tip of the ring and middle fingers, between the metacarpal bones at the wrist dorsum; ascending between the radius and ulna in the forearm, passing the elbow and following the lateral shoulder; crossing posterior to Shaoyang to transmit elsewhere; descending into the supraclavicular fossa and Shanzhong, dispersing to connect with the Pericardium and piercing through the diaphragm. A branch rises from Shanzhong to the supraclavicular fossa, ascends the neck behind the ear, rotates around the ear corner, curves down to the jaw and cheek; another branch exits the ear to the front, crosses the cheek at Shangguan, and ends at the outer canthus.

[Annotation] The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian originates at Guanchong (LI1), located at the lateral tip of the ring finger and middle finger. From Guanchong, it ascends between the fingers to Yemen (SJ2) and Zhongzhu (SJ3), and follows the wrist dorsum to Yangchi (SJ4). Emerging from Yangchi between the radius and ulna, it passes through Waiguan (SJ5), Zhigou (SJ6), Huizong (SJ7), Sanyangluo (SJ8), Sidu (SJ9), Tianjing (SJ10), ascends through the elbow to Qinglengyuan (SI11), follows the lateral arm to Xiaoluo (SJ13), Naohui (SJ14), Jianliao (TE14), and Tianliao (TE15). From Tianliao, it crosses posterior to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, enters the supraclavicular fossa, spreads in the Shanzhong, connects with the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, and distributes within the Sanjiao. Its branch rises from Shanzhong to the supraclavicular fossa, ascends the neck to Tianyou (TE16), follows the ear posteriorly through Yifeng (TE17), Chimai (TE18), and Luxi (TE19), ascends directly to the upper ear corner to Jiaosun (TE14) and Sizhukong (TE23). From Jiaosun and Sizhukong, it winds around the ear, curving down to the mandible and Ermen (TE21). Another branch emerges from behind the ear to the front, passes anterior to the Foot-Shaoyang Keyrenzhuren point (GB4), crosses the cheek, and reaches the outer canthus, connecting with the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.