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The *Ling Shu · Jing Mai Pian* (Spiritual Pivot · Chapter on Meridians) states: The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian originates at the tip of the great toe, follows the medial white skin margin of the toe, and passes behind the He Gu (nucleus bone).

Wang's annotation states: "He Gu" is commonly known as the Gu Gua bone (calcaneus area), which refers to the bones rising on both sides behind the heel. According to Zhang Jingyue: "He Gu" is the round bone located medially behind the proximal joint of the great toe; Shi Shou's (Shi Shi) statement regarding the Gu Gua bone is incorrect. Li Shicai also adheres to this view. Therefore, the annotations by Zhang and Li should be considered correct, while Wang's annotation is not precise; a detailed discussion is provided in the following section.

(It ascends to) the anterior edge of the Nei Huai (medial malleolus).

Wang's annotation states: The medial and lateral sides on both sides of the tibia are called "Huai". According to the *Zi Hui*, the character "Huai" belongs to the Hua Shang tone. In common usage, some read it with the Guo sound for convenience; the proverb says "Jiao Guo Gu" (foot fruit bone), which should refer to this character; the Gu Gua bone is also this character. Wang interprets "Huai" as the He Gu, and considers the sides of the tibia as the Huai. The term "Jing" (tibia/shank) is the general name from the knee down to the foot, commonly known as the calf. It pairs with "Gu" (thigh), commonly known as the thigh. These constitute four major categories divided among the four limbs: the upper limbs are called Bo and Bi, while the lower limbs are called Gu and Jing. Hence, they all carry the "Moon" (flesh) radical. As for "Huai", it is the protruding bone near the foot, hence it carries the "Foot" radical. It is acceptable to say that the Huai is below the Jing, but it is incorrect to say that the side of the Jing is the Huai.

(Ascends to) Nei [Xian].

Regarding the character "[Xian]", Zhang Jingyue's *Lei Jing* (Classified Classic), Wang Ji's *Lei Zuan* (Classified Compilation), and Li Shicai's *Zhi Yao* (Essentials of Knowledge) all print it with the "Foot" radical. The annotation in *Lei Zuan* first states that [Xian] sounds like "Duan" and refers to the heel; it also states that another form is [Xian], sounding like "Shan", referring to the "Zu Du" (calf muscle/fleshy part of the leg). This ambiguity arises because it was mistakenly printed with the "Foot" radical. Both *Lei Jing* and *Zhi Yao* annotate the "Zu Du" as [Xian]; this annotation is not erroneous, but the characters with the "Foot" radical are all misprints. Examining the character "[Xian]" with the "Foot" radical in the *Zi Hui*, *Zi Dian* (Dictionary), and *Yu Pian*, all define it as the heel. The meridian ascends from the great toe to the medial malleolus, where it already intersects with the tibia. From here, ascending further places it within the tibia. How could it possibly descend into the heel? If it entered the heel, the text would use the character "Xia" (down) rather than "Shang" (up). Since the text says "Shang [Xian] Nei", it is evident that the "Foot" radical is a misprint.

(It follows) behind the tibial bone.

Synthesizing these four sections: from the He Gu ascending to the Huai, from the Huai ascending to [Xian], and from [Xian] following behind the tibial bone, it can be deduced that the Huai is below [Xian], and the Jing is not below [Xian]. To understand the meridians clearly, one must clarify their anatomical locations; even minute measurements must not be confused.