Library

The classics state: The Lung is the official of the Prime Minister (Xiangfu), from which governance and regulation arise. Its shape hangs downward, attached to the middle of the third thoracic vertebra of the spine. There are twenty-four apertures, arranged in rows and distributed, to circulate the Qi of the various Zang organs; it is the chief of the Zang organs and the canopy of the Heart. It is also said that this meridian typically has abundant Qi and scarce Blood.

The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: The Lung weighs three jin and three liang, has six lobes and two ears, totaling eight lobes, and primarily stores the Po (Corporeal Soul).

The *Zhong Zang Jing* (Classic of Internal Organs) states: The Lung is the root of generating Qi and serves as the Huagai (Canopy) of the five Zang organs.

Zhang Jiebin stated: The lung lobes are white and translucent, called the Huagai because they cover the other organs. Hollow like a bee's nest, with no perforations at the bottom, it fills upon inhalation and empties upon exhalation. With each breath, the Qi naturally expands and contracts, managing the transformation and transportation of clear and turbid substances, serving as the bellows of the human body.

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates from the Middle Jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, returns to follow the stomach opening, ascends through the diaphragm, and attaches to the Lung. From the Fei Xi (Lung system/trachea), it emerges horizontally into the axilla, descends along the medial aspect of the arm, running anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin Pericardium Meridian, descends into the cubital fossa, follows the medial forearm along the lower border of the radius, enters the Cun Kou (radial pulse area), ascends to the Thenar eminence, follows the Yu Ji (Fish Border) to exit at the tip of the thumb. Its branch emerges straight from behind the wrist along the medial side of the index finger, exiting at its tip.

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian arises from the Middle Jiao, connects with the intestines, follows the stomach, and scatters and circulates. It ascends through the diaphragm, attaches to the Lung, emerges horizontally from the Lung system into the axilla to the elbow, follows the arm through Cun Kou, ascends to Yu Ji, communicates at the lateral nail corner of the thumb. The branch network emerges straight from behind the wrist, exits along the medial side of the index finger, connecting to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.

[Note] The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originating from the Middle Jiao refers to originating from the Zhongwan (CV12) acupoint on the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Descending to connect with the Large Intestine and returning to follow the stomach opening means that the collateral vessels of this meridian scatter and circulate; descending, they connect with the Large Intestine, and ascending, they follow the stomach opening. This is not the direct pathway ascending through the diaphragm to attach to the Lung. Since meridian Qi circulates without beginning or end, the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian must necessarily travel from the branch of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian at Qimen (LR14), proceed to Zhongwan (CV12), ascend through the diaphragm to attach to the Lung, thereby connecting with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Emerging horizontally from the Lung system into the axilla leads to Zhongfu (LU1) and Yunmen (LU2); descending along the medial upper arm reaches Tianfu (LU3) and Xiabai (LU4); from Xiabai, running anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin and Hand-Jueyin meridians, it descends to Chi Ze (LU5) in the cubital fossa; from Chi Ze, following the medial forearm along the lower border of the radius reaches Kong Zui (LU6); from Kong Zui, entering Cun Kou, it passes Lie Que (LU7), Jing Qu (LU8), and Tai Yuan (LU9); from Tai Yuan, ascending to the Yu (Thenar Eminence), it enters Yu Ji (LU10); from Yu Ji, it exits at Shao Shang (LU11) at the tip of the thumb and ends. Its branch emerges straight from behind the wrist, travels along the medial side of the index finger, exits at its tip, and connects with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.