Library

(This meridian starts at Shangyang (LI1) and ends at Yingxiang (LI20).)

The Large Intestine Hand-Yangming Meridian originates from the tip of the index finger, follows the radial border of the finger, emerges between the two bones at Hegu (LI4), ascends into the space between the two tendons, follows the radial border of the forearm, enters the lateral aspect of the elbow, ascends along the anterolateral border of the upper arm, reaches the shoulder, emerges from the anterior border of the acromion, ascends to meet at Dazhui (GV14, the intersection of all Yang meridians), descends into Quepen (ST12), connects with the Lung, passes through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Large Intestine. Its branch arises from Quepen, ascends to the neck, penetrates the cheek, enters the lower teeth, returns to emerge flanking the mouth, crosses at Renzhong (GV26), with the left meridian going to the right and the right meridian going to the left, ascending to flank the nostrils. When this meridian is affected, it causes toothache and neck swelling. This meridian primarily governs diseases related to fluid metabolism, such as yellow eyes, dry mouth, nasal congestion or epistaxis, throat obstruction, pain in the anterior shoulder, and pain or dysfunction of the index finger. If Qi is in excess, there will be heat and swelling along the course of the meridian; if deficient, there will be chills that do not resolve. For these conditions, excess is treated by reducing, deficiency by tonifying, heat by rapid needling, cold by retaining the needle, sinking Yang by moxibustion, and neither excess nor deficiency by selecting points from the meridian itself. Excess is indicated when the Renying pulse is three times larger than the Cunkou pulse; deficiency is indicated when the Renying pulse is smaller than the Cunkou pulse.

The "index finger" refers to the second finger of the hand. The phrase "following the finger" specifically refers to the index finger. Hegu is located in the thenar eminence (tiger's mouth). The space between the two bones at the shoulder end refers to the shoulder joint area. The Tianzhu bone above the Jianjing (GB21) point refers to the cervical spine. Quepen is an acupoint of the Stomach Foot-Yangming Meridian. The neck region is called Jing. The curved area below the ear is called Jia.

The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian receives transmission from the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and thus originates from the tip of the index finger. It follows the Shangyang (LI1), Erjian (LI2), and Sanjian (LI3) points on the radial border of the index finger, emerges at Hegu (LI4) between the two bones. It then ascends to Yangxi (LI5), located between the two tendons. It continues along the radial border of the forearm, passing through Pianli (LI6), Wenliu (LI7), Xialian (LI8), Shanglian (LI9), and Sanli (LI10), entering Quchi (LI11) at the lateral aspect of the elbow. It ascends along the anterolateral border of the upper arm, passing through Zhou Liao (LI12), Wuli (LI13), and Binao (LI14), reaching the Shoulder Bone (Jianyu LI15) at the shoulder. It emerges from the anterior border of the Shoulder Bone, following the Juliao (LI16) point, ascends to meet at the Tianzhu bone (Dazhui GV14), converging at Dazhui. From Dazhui, it descends into Quepen, follows the lateral aspect of the Stomach Foot-Yangming Meridian's collateral network, surrounds the Lung, passes through the diaphragm, meets and belongs to the Large Intestine outside Tianshu (ST25). Its branch, although originating from Pianli, also ascends from Quepen to the neck, passing through Tianding (SI14) and Futu (LI18), penetrating the cheek, entering the lower teeth, emerging to flank the corners of the mouth, crossing internally at Renzhong (GV26), with the left meridian going to the right and the right meridian going to the left, ascending to flank the nostrils, following Heliao (LI19) and Yingxiang (LI20) to terminate, thereby connecting with the Stomach Foot-Yangming Meridian.