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The meridian sinews entering the brain from the vertex descend to connect with the root of the eye (Yuanben), scatter above the eyes, and form the upper net of the eyelids. The descending branches knot at the temporal region and merge with the sinews of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. (Temporal region, pronounced "qiu".) One branch originates from the posterior lateral aspect of the axilla, knotting at the shoulder. (Another branch runs from the paraspinal area along the posterior lateral aspect of the axilla up to the shoulder, meeting the sinews of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and knotting at the shoulder.) Another branch enters the axilla, ascends out of the Quepen (supraclavicular fossa), and knots at the Wanggu (high bone behind the ear). (This posteriorly running branch travels from the posterior axilla to the anterior axilla, obliquely exiting via the Yangming meridian's Quepen, then ascending straight up from behind the ear to meet the sinews of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder meridians, knotting at Wanggu. Wanggu refers to the high bone behind the ear.) Another branch exits the Quepen obliquely upward and emerges at the angle of the mandible. (This anteriorly running branch, diverging from the previous Quepen sinew, ascends to the cheek and jaw, obliquely emerging at the angle of the mandible, merging with the previously mentioned branch that knots downward at the shoulder.)

The sinews of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian originate at the tip of the fourth toe, ascend to knot at the lateral malleolus, follow the lateral aspect of the tibia, and knot at the lateral aspect of the knee. (The tip of the fourth toe corresponds to the location of the Qiaoyin point. The lateral malleolus corresponds to Qiuxu. The lateral aspect of the tibia corresponds to Waixiu and Yangjiao. The lateral aspect of the knee corresponds to Yanglingquan and Yangguan. These are all considered rigid sinews.) A branch arises separately from the lateral accessory bone (fibula), ascends to the thigh; the anterior part knots above Futu (the bulging muscle on the anterior thigh), and the posterior part knots at the Kao (sacrococcygeal region). (The protruding bones on both sides below the knee are called accessory bones; the muscle bulging six cun above the knee is called Futu; the sacrococcygeal bone is called Kao. This branch ascends from the lateral accessory bone to the thigh, dividing into two: the anterior knots at the Yangming meridian's Futu, and the posterior knots at the Du vessel's Kao. Here, rigid and flexible elements mutually constrain each other, enabling the linkage of hips and knees and the operation of the pivot mechanism.) The main trunk ascends to traverse the Jixie (lower ribs), moves upward to the anterior medial aspect of the axilla, ties to the chest and breast area, and knots at the Quepen. (The depressed area on both sides below the lower ribs is called Jixie; the high area on both sides of the upper chest is called Ying. This main trunk travels from the lateral accessory bone to the thigh, ascends via the hip pivot through the Jixie, follows the lower ribs to the axilla, lies beneath the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, exits the anterior medial aspect of the axilla, transversely ties to the chest and breast region, and ascends to knot at the Quepen, merging with the sinews of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. These are all rigid sinews. "Ji" means few, implying that there are few bones in this area.) The main trunk ascends out of the axilla, penetrates the Quepen, emerges anterior to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, follows the ear posteriorly, ascends to the frontal angle, crosses at the vertex, descends to the mandible, and ascends to knot at the Jiache point. (This main trunk, having ascended to the axilla, goes straight up out of the axilla, penetrates the Quepen, identical to the one knotting at the Quepen above. It runs anterior to the Foot-Taiyang meridian sinews, follows the ear to the frontal angle, meets the Taiyang sinews at the vertex, then proceeds from the Touwei point of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, moves to the front of the ear, descends to the cheek and mandible, and ascends again to knot at the Jiache point.) A branch knots at the outer canthus of the eye, known as the "Outer Dimension." (This branch slants from the zygoma to knot at the outer canthus, serving as the lateral support for the eyelid. The ability of humans to look left and right depends on the extension and contraction of these sinews.)

The sinews of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originate at the middle three toes, knot at the dorsum of the foot, slant outward, ascend onto the accessory bone, and knot at the lateral aspect of the knee. The main trunk ascends directly to knot at the Hip Pivot (hip joint), follows the costal margin upward, and connects to the spine. (The middle three toes refer to the middle toe, adjacent to the Lidui point. Knotting at the Chongyang point on the dorsum involves a diagonal path from the foot surface, passing between the sinews of the Taiyin and Shaoyang meridians, ascending to the accessory bone, knotting at the lateral knee, going straight up to the Hip Pivot, running anterior to the Shaoyang meridian, following the ribs backward, and internally connecting to the spine.) The main trunk ascends along the tibia and knots at the knee. A branch knots at the lateral accessory bone and merges with the Shaoyang meridian. (The tibia is the shinbone. The main trunk ascends from the dorsum along the tibia, knotting at the lateral aspect below the knee near the Zusanli point, reaching the center of the kneecap. The branch ascends diagonally outward from the anterior dorsum, knotting at the Yanglingquan point on the lateral accessory bone, merging with the Shaoyang meridian. "Gan," pronounced "gan.") The main trunk ascends along the Futu, knots at the thigh, gathers at the Genital Organ (Yinqi), ascends to the abdomen to distribute, (This main trunk rises straight from the center of the kneecap, along the Futu and Guanyuan points, knotting in the middle of the thigh, then ascends to gather at the Yinqi. All yin and yang meridians converge at the Zongjin (Master Sinews), meeting at the Qichuan point, with the Yangming meridian acting as their leader. From the Henggu point, they run bilaterally, following points such as Tianshu and Guanmen, and distribute upward in the abdomen. From here to the neck, these are all rigid sinews.) They reach the Quepen and knot, ascend the neck, pass alongside the mouth, merge below the Dicang point, knot at the nose, and ascend to merge with the Taiyang meridian. The Taiyang meridian forms the upper net of the eyes, and the Yangming meridian forms the lower net. (Ascending from the Quepen to the neck at the Renying point, they follow the cheeks, ascend alongside the mouth corners, merge with the Yangqiao vessel at Dicang, ascend to merge at the Quanliao point, knot below the nose, and ascend to the Jingming point to merge with the Foot-Taiyang meridian. The fine sinews of the Taiyang meridian scatter above the eyes, hence forming the upper net. The fine sinews of the Yangming meridian scatter below the eyes, hence forming the lower net.) A branch knots at the front of the ear from the cheek. (This branch ascends from the cheek area to knot at the front of the ear, merging with the Shangguan and Hanyan points of the Foot-Shaoyang meridian, ending at the Touwei point.)

The sinews of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian originate at the medial end of the great toe and ascend to knot at the medial malleolus. (The medial end of the great toe is Yinbai. Ascending along the nuclear bone, it knots at the Shangqiu point below the medial malleolus.) The main trunk knots at the medial accessory bone of the knee, ascends along the medial thigh, knots at the thigh, and gathers at the Yinqi. (Rising straight from the medial malleolus, it knots at the Yinlingquan point at the medial accessory bone of the knee. The medial thigh is called Yinggu. Knotting at the thigh corresponds to the Jimen point, ascending to both ends of the Henggu, meeting the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian at the Chongmen point, encircling the Qugu, and gathering with the sinews of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians at the Yinqi; these are all rigid sinews.) It ascends to the abdomen, knots at the umbilicus, runs within the abdomen, knots at the ribs, scatters in the chest, and its internal portion attaches to the spine. (The anteriorly running branch ascends from the Yinqi to the abdomen, meeting the sinews of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, knotting at the umbilicus, running within the abdomen, passing through Daheng and Fu'ai, knotting at the ribs, then scattering into fine flexible sinews ascending to distribute in the chest at the Xiangxiang and Dabao points. The internally running branch passes between the Zongjin of the Yinqi, along with the Yangming and Shaoyin sinews, attaching to the spine.)

The sinews of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian originate below the little toe, running parallel with the Foot-Taiyin sinews,斜走 (obliquely walking) below the medial malleolus, knotting at the heel, merging with the Foot-Taiyang sinews, and ascending to knot below the medial accessory bone. (The sinews of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian originate below the little toe, slanting toward the sole of the foot, then medially to the Ranggu point, joining the Shangqiu point of the Foot-Taiyin, walking below the medial malleolus, knotting between the heel and calcaneus, merging with the Taiyang sinews, ascending medially from the heel, and knotting below the medial accessory bone at the Yinggu point.) Running with the Taiyin sinews, it ascends along the medial thigh and knots at the Yinqi. (From the medial accessory bone, joining the Taiyin sinews, it ascends along the medial thigh to the Henggu, merging with the Taiyin, Jueyin, and Yangming sinews to knot at the Yinqi; these are all rigid sinews.) Running inside the spine, flanking the erector muscles, it ascends to the nape and knots at the occipital bone, merging with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian sinews. (Running internally from the Yinqi, ascending from the uterus to connect with the kidneys, running along both sides of the spine with the Chong vessel, flanking the erector muscles to the nape, merging with the Foot-Taiyang sinews, knotting at the occipital bone, and internally connecting to the Sea of Marrow.)

The sinews of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian originate above the great toe and ascend to knot anterior to the medial malleolus. (Above the great toe is the Dazhun point at the hairline. Walking on the dorsum, it runs parallel with the Foot-Taiyin sinews and knots at the Zhongfeng point anterior to the medial malleolus.) Ascending along the tibia, it knots below the medial accessory bone, ascends along the medial thigh, knots at the Yinqi, and links all sinews. (Ascending from the medial malleolus along the tibia, passing through Sanyinjiao, it joins the Foot-Shaoyin sinews to knot below the medial accessory bone at the Ququan point, then joins the Taiyin sinews to ascend along the medial thigh through Wuli and Yinlian, ascending to the Jimai point and knotting at the Yinqi. The Yinqi is where the sinews of the Taiyin, Jueyin, Yangming, and Shaoyin meridians, along with the Chong, Ren, and Du vessels, gather, thus called "Zongjin" (Master Sinews). Jueyin belongs to the Liver, and the Liver governs the sinews; therefore, it links all sinews to unify them for healthy movement.)

The sinews of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian originate above the little finger, knot at the wrist, follow the medial arm, knot posterior to the sharp bone of the elbow, and upon palpation, respond above the little finger, entering to knot in the axilla. (The lateral side above the little finger is the Shaoze point. Ascending, it knots at the Wangu and Yanggu points on the lateral wrist, follows the medial arm, knots posterior to the sharp bone of the elbow at the Xiaohai point. Palpating the gap between the two bones below the elbow tip causes numbness corresponding to the little finger. From the lateral aspect of the arm above the elbow, it enters and knots below the posterior axilla; these are all rigid sinews.) A branch runs posteriorly along the lateral aspect of the axilla, circles the scapula, follows the neck to emerge anterior to the Taiyang meridian, and knots at the Wanggu behind the ear. (This branch merges with the Foot-Taiyang sinews at the axilla, runs along the posterior lateral axilla, circles the scapula via Jianwaishu and Jianzhongshu, follows the Tianchuang point in the neck, emerges anterior to the Taiyang meridian sinews exiting the Quepen, and ascends to knot at the Wanggu behind the ear.) A branch enters the ear; the main trunk emerges above the ear, descends to knot at the mandible, and ascends to connect to the outer canthus. (This branch ascends from the neck to the Quya point, entering the Tinggong point in the ear. The main trunk ascends, emerges above the ear, meeting the Jiaosun point of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian; the anterior descending branch follows the cheek, knots at the mandible, merging with the Hand-Yangming sinews; the anterior ascending branch connects to the outer canthus Tongziliao point, merging with the Hand and Foot Shaoyang sinews.)

The sinews of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian originate at the tip of the ring finger, knot at the wrist, follow the arm, knot above the elbow, circle the lateral aspect of the humerus, ascend the shoulder, travel the neck, and merge with the Hand-Taiyang meridian. (The upper end of the ring finger is the Guanchong point. Ascending, it knots at the Yangchi point of the wrist, follows the Waiguan and Zhigou points of the arm, exits between the two bones of the upper arm, knots at the elbow, from the lateral aspect of the humerus above the elbow, passes through the Naohui point lying interior to the Taiyang and exterior to the Yangming, ascends the shoulder Naoshu point, travels the Tianyou point in the neck, and merges with the Hand-Taiyang sinews. These are all rigid sinews.) A branch is located at the angular mandible, entering to tie to the root of the tongue. (This branch enters from below the angular mandible in the neck to tie to the root of the tongue, merging with the Foot-Taiyang sinews.) Another branch ascends to the Quya, follows the front of the ear, connects to the outer canthus, traverses the chin, and knots at the corner. (Another branch travels from the cheek to the Quya, meeting the Foot-Yangming sinews, follows the front of the ear upward, intersecting and intertwining with the Hand-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyang sinews to meet at the Jiaosun point above the ear, then connects to the outer canthus and meets again at the Tongziliao point. "Han" should be read as "E" (forehead). These sinews run from the front of the ear past the outer canthus, intersect with the three yang meridians, ascend to the left and right of the forehead, and knot at the upper corner of the forehead.)

The sinews of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian originate at the tip of the index finger, knot at the wrist, ascend along the arm, knot at the lateral elbow, ascend the arm, and knot at the Jianyu. (The tip of the index finger is the Shangyang point. Passing through Hegu, it knots at the Yangxi point on the wrist, follows the lateral aspect of the arm, knots at the lateral elbow and Houxi point, then ascends to the Naohui point, merging with the Foot-Taiyang sinews to knot at the Jianyu point; these are all rigid sinews.) A branch circles the scapula and flanks the spine. (This branch curves posteriorly from the Jianyu, circles the scapula, merges with the Hand and Foot Taiyang sinews, and flanks the spine.) The main trunk ascends from the Jianyu to the neck. (This main trunk travels from the Jianyu to the Gugu point, ascending to the Tianding and Futu points in the neck.) A branch ascends to the cheek and knots at the Quanliao. (This branch ascends from the neck to the cheek, enters the lower teeth, and ascends to knot at the Quanliao point of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian.) The main trunk ascends anterior to the Hand-Taiyang meridian, ascends to the left corner, networks the head, and descends to the right mandible. (This main trunk exits the neck anterior to the Tianchuang and Tianrong points of the Hand-Taiyang meridian, runs in front of the ear, ascends to the left frontal angle, networks the head, and descends to the right mandible. Speaking of the left implies the right is included, just as in meridians, left relates to right and vice versa. Thus, the right-running branch also ascends to the right frontal angle, intersects and networks the head, and descends to the left mandible to merge with the Taiyang and Shaoyang sinews.)

The sinews of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originate above the great toe (note: text says great toe but context implies thumb/finger), follow the finger upward, knot posterior to the大鱼际 (Thenar eminence), run on the lateral aspect of the Cunkou (Radial pulse), (Above the hand thumb is the Shaoshang point. Posterior to the fish is the Yuji point. The lateral aspect of Cunkou is the Lieque point.) ascend along the arm, knot at the elbow, ascend the medial aspect of the upper arm, and enter the axilla. (Ascending along the arm, it knots at the Chize point in the elbow, ascends the medial aspect of the upper arm to the Tianfu point, then transversely enters the axilla, merging with the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian sinews. These are all rigid sinews.) Exiting the Quepen, it knots at the anterior shoulder (Jianyu), (Exiting the axilla, ascending out of the Quepen, it runs anterior to the three yang meridians on the shoulder and knots at the anterior shoulder.) ascends to knot at the Quepen, descends to knot in the chest interior, scatters through the Fen (diaphragm), merges with the Fen, and descends to the Jixie. (The ascending branch rises from the axilla, joining the Foot-Shaoyang sinews to knot at the Quepen; the descending branch enters the chest from the axilla, knots in the chest interior, scatters through the upper stomach/Fenmen, merges with the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian sinews, descends to the Jixie, and merges with the Foot-Shaoyang and Foot-Jueyin sinews. "Fen" refers to the diaphragm, the exit of stomach qi, hence the stomach is called Fenmen. Meridians run through the Triple Burner, organs are arranged in the Five Viscera; where collaterals intersect, in the Upper Burner they connect to the throat, in the Middle Burner to the Fen and Diaphragm, in the Lower Burner to the two orifices; apart from these three areas, there is no connection.)

The sinews of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originate at the middle finger, run parallel with the Taiyin sinews, and knot at the medial aspect of the elbow. (The tip of the middle finger is the Zhongchong point. Following the finger into the palm to the Dahling point posterior to the palm, joining the Hand-Taiyin meridian, it knots at the Quze point at the medial aspect of the elbow.) Ascending the medial arm, it knots in the axilla, scatters anteriorly and posteriorly, flanking the ribs. (At the Tianquan point of the medial arm, from the curved axilla joining the Taiyin sinews, it knots in the axilla at the Tianchi point, descends, distributing anteriorly and posteriorly, flanking the ribs, linking with the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Shaoyang sinews. This meridian from palm to axilla consists of rigid sinews.) A branch enters the axilla, scatters in the chest, and knots at the Fen. (This branch enters the axilla from the Tianchi point, scatters in the chest. "Bi" should be "Fen". Since this branch joins the Taiyin sinews to scatter in the chest, it similarly knots at the Fen.)

The sinews of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originate at the medial side of the little finger, knot at the sharp bone, ascend to knot at the medial aspect of the elbow, enter the axilla, cross the Taiyin, and flank the interior of the breast. (The medial side of the little finger is the Shaochong point. Knotting at the sharp bone is the Shenmen point. The medial aspect of the elbow is the Shaohai point. Entering the axilla is the Jiquan point. Crossing the Hand-Taiyin sinews, it斜络 (diagonally networks) running inside the breast. This meridian from finger to axilla consists of rigid sinews.) It knots in the chest, follows the arm downward, and ties to the umbilicus. (Running internally from inside the breast, it knots in the chest, merging with the three yin sinews. "Bi" should also be "Fen", as the Pericardium and Shaoyin sinews both merge with the Taiyin at the Fen and descend. This describes the rigid and flexible origins and endings of the twelve meridian sinews. Not only those practicing acupuncture should know this, but those prescribing medicine must also be thoroughly familiar with it.)