条文：
正经经外是奇经，八脉分司各有名，任脉任前督于后，冲起会阴肾同行，
阳跷跟外膀胱别，阴起跟前随少阴，阳维维络诸阳脉，阴维维络在诸阴，
带脉围腰水束带，不由常度号奇经。
注：[1]脉有奇常，十二经者，常脉也；奇经则不拘于常，故谓之奇也。
[2]盖人之气血，常行于十二经脉，经脉满溢，流入他经，别道而行，
故名奇经。
[3]奇经有八，曰：任、督、冲、带、阳跷、阳维、阴维是也。
[4]任脉任于前，督脉督于后，冲脉为诸脉之海，带脉犹身之束带，
阳跷为足太阳之别，阴跷为足少阴之别，阳维则维络诸阳，
阴维则维络诸阴，阴阳相维，诸经乃调。
[5]故此八脉，譬犹图设沟渠，以备水潦，斯无滥溢之患，
人有奇经亦若是也。
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条文：
『素问·骨空论』曰：任脉者起于中极之下，以上毛际，循腹里，上关元，
至咽喉上颐，循面入目（见图七十四）。
『灵枢·五音五味篇』曰：冲脉任脉皆起于胞中，上循背里为经络之海，
其浮而外者，循腹上行，会于咽喉，别而络口唇。
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条文：
任脉起于中极下，会阴腹里上关元，循内上行会冲脉，浮外循腹至喉咽，
别络口唇承浆已，过足阳明上颐间，循面入目至清明，交督阴脉海名传。
注：[1]任脉者，起于中极之下。
[2]中极者，穴名也，在少腹聚毛处之上毛际也。
[3]中极之下谓曲骨之下会阴穴也。
[4]以上毛际，循腹里上关元者，谓从会阴循内上行，会于冲脉，
为经络之海也。
[5]其浮而外者，循腹上行，至于咽喉，别络口唇，至承浆而终。
[6]上颐循面入目至睛明者，谓不直交督脉，由足阳明承泣穴上颐循面，
入目内眦之足太阳睛明穴，始交于督脉，总为阴脉之海也。
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[Main Text]
Outside the regular meridians are the extraordinary vessels (Qi Jing), each of the eight having its own name and specific functions. The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) runs along the anterior midline, while the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) runs along the posterior midline; the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates at Huiyin (CV-1) and travels alongside the Kidney Meridian; the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel) branches from the lateral malleolus and is a branch of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian; the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) originates anterior to the medial malleolus and follows the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links and connects all Yang meridians; the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links and connects all Yin meridians; the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) encircles the waist like a water-tight belt. These vessels do not follow the standard course of the twelve regular meridians and are therefore called "extraordinary" (Qi).
Notes: [1] Vessels are classified as "extraordinary" (Qi) or "regular" (Chang). The twelve regular meridians are the Chang Mai; the extraordinary vessels are not bound by these regular rules, hence the name Qi.
[2] Human Qi and Blood typically circulate within the twelve regular meridians. When the meridians are full and overflow, the excess flows into other vessels, traveling through special pathways, thus named extraordinary vessels.
[3] There are eight extraordinary vessels: Ren, Du, Chong, Dai, Yang Qiao, Yang Wei, Yin Wei, and Yin Qiao.
[4] The Ren Mai runs anteriorly, the Du Mai runs posteriorly, the Chong Mai is known as the "Sea of All Vessels," the Dai Mai acts like a girdle around the body, the Yang Qiao Mai is a branch of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, and the Yin Qiao Mai is a branch of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. The Yang Wei Mai links all Yang meridians, and the Yin Wei Mai links all Yin meridians. Through the mutual linking of Yin and Yang, the various meridians remain harmonized.
[5] Thus, these eight vessels are like ditches or canals designed on a map to prevent flooding, thereby avoiding the disaster of overflowing water. Similarly, humans possess extraordinary vessels for this purpose.
[Article 2]
The *Su Wen: Gu Kong Lun* states: The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below Zhongji (CV-3), ascends above the pubic hair line, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through Guanyuan (CV-4), reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes (see Figure 74).
The *Ling Shu: Wu Yin Wu Wei Pian* states: Both the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originate in the Bao Zhong (Uterus/Cavity Center), ascend along the interior of the spine, and become the Sea of the Meridians. The portion that floats outwardly ascends along the abdomen, converges at the throat, and branches to connect with the lips.
[Article 3]
The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below Zhongji (CV-3), meets at Huiyin (CV-1), ascends along the interior of the abdomen to Guanyuan (CV-4), where it intersects with the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); its portion floating outwardly ascends along the abdomen to the throat, branches to connect with the lips, and ends at Chengjiang (CV-24). It then passes through the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, ascends to the region between the cheeks, follows the face into the eyes until Jingming (BL-1), and intersects with the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), being transmitted as the "Sea of Yin Vessels."
Notes: [1] The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below Zhongji (CV-3).
[2] Zhongji (CV-3) is an acupoint located above the pubic hair line in the lower abdomen.
[3] "Below Zhongji" refers to the Huiyin (CV-1) acupoint below Qugu (CV-2).
[4] "Ascends above the pubic hair line, follows the interior of the abdomen to Guanyuan" means: starting from Huiyin (CV-1), it ascends internally and meets the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), which is the Sea of the Meridians.
[5] "Its portion floating outwardly ascends along the abdomen to the throat, branches to connect with the lips, and ends at Chengjiang" means: the part floating on the exterior ascends along the abdomen to the throat, branches to link the lips, terminating at Chengjiang (CV-24).
[6] "Ascends to the cheeks, follows the face into the eyes to Jingming" means: it does not directly intersect the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). Instead, via the Chengqi (ST-1) acupoint of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, it ascends to the cheeks, follows the face, enters the inner canthus at the Jingming (BL-1) acupoint of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, and only then intersects with the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). Collectively, it is referred to as the "Sea of Yin Vessels."