论曰凡用针当先明骨节，骨节既定，然后分别经络所在，度以身寸，以明孔穴，为施刺
灸，观病所在，或浅或深，若在皮毛，若在血脉，是动者治其气，所生病者治其血。在浮络
者取其浮络之血，在筋者以燔针劫刺之，有余则泻，不足则补，不盛不虚，以经取之，治之
大体也，然人身骨节之数，三百六十有五，以应一期之日，骨节所在，大小长短，广狭浓薄，
或隐或显，有势无势，有体无体，有液无液，皆有定体，实刺法之先务也，内经具载，但有
骨空去处，其骨度之说，徒有其名，未载其法。至于三百六十之数，因亦泯然，使用针之人，
妄意 穴，不知骨节本原，徒为针灸，未得其法，枉伤肌肉，良可惜也。今摭自古医经，有
骨度之数，析骨之论，凡三百六十五骨之法，以此论骨胳，其庶矣。故着于篇，以冠针法之
首云。
人之周身，总有三百六十五骨节，以一百六十五字都关次之。首自钤骨之上为头，左右
前后至辕骨，以四十九字共关七十二骨。巅中为都颅骨者一（有势微有髓及有液），次颅为髅
骨者一（有势微有髓），髅前为顶威骨者一（微有髓女人则无此骨），髅后为脑骨者一（有势
微
有髓），脑左为枕骨者一（有势无液），脑右为就骨者一（有势无液），枕就之中附下为天盖
骨
者一（下为肺系之本），盖骨之后为天柱骨者一（下属脊窳有髓），盖前为言骨者一（言上复
合
于髅骨有势无髓），言下为舌本骨者左右共二（有势无髓），髅前为囟骨者一（无势无液），
囟
下为服委骨者一（俚人讹为伏犀骨是也无髓势），服委之下为俊骨者一（附下即眉字之分也
无
髓势），眉上左为天贤骨者一（无势无髓下同），眉上之右为天贵骨者一（眉上直目睛也），
左
睛之上为智宫骨者一（无髓无势），右睛之上为命门骨者一（无髓势两睛之下中则为鼻），鼻
之
前为梁骨者一（无髓无势），梁之左为颧骨者一（无势无髓），梁之右为 骨者一（有势无髓），
梁之端为嵩柱骨者一（无髓势其颧 之后即耳之分也），左耳为司正骨者一（无髓无势），右
耳
为纳邪骨者一（无髓无势），正邪之后为完骨者左右共二（无势无液），正邪之上附内为嚏骨
者
一（无势少液）。嚏后之上为通骨者左右前后共四（有势少液）。嚏上为 骨者一（无势多
液），其KT 后连属为颔也。左颔为乘骨者一（有势多液），右颔为车骨者一（无势多液），
乘
车上下出齿牙三十六事（无髓势庸下则不满其数），乘车之后为辕骨者左右共二（有液有势）。
复次，钤骨之下为膻中，左右前后至 ，以四十字关九十七骨，辕骨之下左右为钤骨者
二（多液），钤中为会厌骨者一（无髓势），钤中之下为咽骨者左中及右共三（无髓），咽下
为喉
骨左中及右共三（无髓），喉下为咙骨者环次共十事（无髓），咙下之内为肺系骨者累累然共
十
二（无髓势），肺系之后为谷骨者一（无髓），谷下为鬲道骨者左右共二（无髓），咙外次下
为顺
骨者共八（少液），顺骨之端为顺隐骨者共八（少液），顺下之左为洞骨者一（女人无此），
顺下
之右为棚骨者一（女人无此二骨），洞棚之下中央为 KT 骨者一（无髓俚人呼为鸠尾），
KT直下为天枢骨者一（无髓），钤下之左右为缺盆骨者二（有势多液），左缺盆前之下为
下
厌骨者一（无髓），右缺盆前之下为分膳骨者一（无髓），厌膳之后附下为仓骨者一（无髓），
仓
之下左右为 骨者共八（无液有势）， 下之左为胸骨者一（男子此骨大则好勇）， 下之右
为
荡骨者一（女人此骨大者多夫），胸之下为乌骨者一（男女此骨满者鬓发早白），荡之下为臆
骨
者一（此骨高则使人多讹妄），钤中之后为脊窳骨者共二十二（上接天柱有髓），脊窳次下为
大
动骨者一（上通天柱共成二十四 ），大动之端为归下骨者一（道家谓之尾闾），归下之后为
篡
骨者一（此骨能限精液），归下之前为 骨者一（此骨薄者多处贫下）。
复次，缺盆之下左右至衬，以二十五字关六十骨（此下止分两手臂至十指之端众骨也），
支其缺盆之后为伛甲骨者左右共二（有势多液），伛甲之端为甲隐骨者左右共二（此骨长则
至
贤），前支缺盆为飞动骨者左右共二（此骨消则病痱缓），次飞动之左为龙 骨者一（有势多
髓
多液），次飞动之右为虎冲骨者一（有势多髓液），龙 之下为龙本骨者一（有势多髓），虎
冲
之下为虎端骨者一（有势多髓），本端之下为腕也，龙本之上内为进贤骨者一（男子此骨隆
则
为名臣），虎端之上内为及爵骨者一（女人此骨高则为命妇），腕前左右为上力骨者共八（有
势
多液），次上力为驻骨者左右共十（有势多液），次驻骨为搦骨者左右共十（有势多液），次
搦
为助势骨者左右共十（左助外为爪右助外为甲），爪甲之下各有衬骨者左右共十（无势有液）。
复次， KT 之下，左右前后至初步，以五十一字关一百三十六骨，此下自两乳下分
左右至两足心，众骨所会处也， KT 之下为心蔽骨者一（无髓）， KT 之左为胁骨者
上
下共十二（居小肠之分也），左胁之端各有胁隐骨者分次亦十二（无髓），胁骨之下为季胁骨
者
共二（多液），季胁之端为季隐骨者共二（无髓）， KT 之右为肋骨者上下共十二（处大
肠之
分也），肋骨之下为 肋骨者共二（各无隐骨唯兽有之），右肋之端为肋隐骨者共十二（无髓），
骨之前为大横骨者一（有势少髓），横骨之前为白环骨者共二（有势有液），白环之前为内
辅
骨者左右共二（有势多液），内辅之后为骸关骨者左右共二（有势多液），骸关之下为楗骨者
左
右共二（有势多液），楗骨之下为髀枢骨者左右共二（有势多髓），髀枢下端为膝盖骨者左右
共
二（无势多液），膝盖左右各有侠升骨者共二（有势多液），髀枢之下为 骨者左右共二（有
势
多髓）， 骨之外为外辅骨者左右共二（有势有液）， 骨之下为立骨者左右共二（有势有液），
立骨左右各有内外踝骨者共四（有势少液），踝骨之前左右各有下力骨者共十（有势多液），
踝
骨之后各有京骨者左右共二（有势少液），下力之前各有释欹骨者左右共十（有势有液），释
欹
之前各有起仆骨者左右共十（有势），起仆之前各有平助骨者左右共十（有势），平助之前各
有
衬甲骨者左右共十（无势少液），释欹两傍各有核骨者左右共二（有势多液），起仆之下各有
初
步骨者左右共二（有势无髓有液女人无此骨），凡此三百六十五骨也，天地相乘，惟人至灵，
其女人则无顶威左洞右棚及初步等五骨，止有三百六十骨，又男子女人一百九骨，或隐或衬，
或无髓势，余二百五十六骨，并有髓液，以藏诸筋，以会诸脉，溪谷相需，而成身形，谓之
四大，此骨度之常也。
昔黄帝问于伯高曰∶脉度言经脉之长短，何以立之?伯高对曰∶先度其骨节之大小广狭
长短，而脉度定矣。帝曰∶愿闻众人之度，人长七尺五寸者，其骨节之大小长短各几何?伯
高曰∶头之大骨，围二尺六寸，胸围四尺五寸，腰围四尺二寸，发所复者，颅至项尺二寸，
发以下至颐，长一尺，君子终折，结喉以下至缺盆中，长四寸，缺盆以下至 KT ，长九
寸，过则肺大，不满则肺小， KT 以下至天枢，长八寸，过则胃大，不及则胃小，天枢
以下至横骨，长六寸半，过则回肠广长，不满则狭短，横骨长六寸半，横骨上廉以下至内辅
之上廉，长一尺八寸，内辅之上廉，以下至下廉，长三寸半，内辅下廉下至内踝，长一尺三
寸，内踝以下至地，长三寸，膝 以下至跗属，长一尺六寸，跗属以下至地，长三寸，故骨
围大则太过，小则不及，角以下至柱骨，长一尺，行腋中不见者，长四寸，腋以下至季胁，
长一尺二寸，季胁以下至髀枢，长六寸，髀枢以下至膝中，长一尺九寸，膝以下至外踝，长
一尺六寸，外踝以下至京骨，长三寸，京骨以下至地，长一寸，耳后当完骨者，广九寸，耳
前当耳门者，广一尺三寸，两颧之间，相去七寸，两乳之间，广九寸半，两髀之间，广六寸
半，足长一尺二寸，广四寸半，肩至肘，长一尺七寸，肘至腕，长一尺二寸半，腕至中指本
节，长四寸，本节至其末，长四寸半，项发以下至背骨，长二寸半，膂骨以下至尾 二十一
节，长三尺，上节长一寸四分分之一，奇分在下，故上七节至于膂骨，九寸八分分之七，此
众人骨之度也，所以立经脉之长短也，是故视其经脉之在人身也，其见浮而坚，其见明而大
者，多血，细而沉者，多气也。
凡欲用针须明骨空所在及机关之节机关者。内经曰∶辅骨上横骨下为楗，侠髋为机，膝
解为骸关，侠膝之骨为连骸，骸下为辅，辅上为 ， 上为关，头横骨为枕，是也，骨空者
，内经髓空在脑后三分，在颅际锐骨之下（风府穴也），一在 基下（下颐是也），一在项后
中
复骨下（喑门穴也），一在脊骨上空在风府上（脑户穴也），脊骨下空在尻骨下空（长强穴也）
，数髓空在面挟鼻（颧 穴也），或骨空在口下当两肩（大迎穴也），两 骨空在 中之阳（近
肩传失其名），臂骨空在臂阳，去踝四寸两骨空之间（通间穴也），股骨上空在股阳出上膝
四寸（承楗也）， 骨空在辅骨之上端（犊鼻穴也），股际骨空在毛中动下（经阙穴名），尻
骨空
在髀骨之后相去四寸（八 穴也），扁骨有渗理凑无髓孔，易髓无空，是也。凡病属巨阳少
阴
之经与冲脉任脉督脉之分者，病本于骨，各随其要而灸刺之，故风从外入，令人振寒恶寒，
汗出身重，头痛或颈项痛者，治在风府，从风憎风，刺眉头（攒竹穴也），失枕在肩上横骨
间（缺盆穴也），折使揄臂齐肘正，灸脊中（阳关穴也）， 络季胁引少腹而痛胀，刺 ，
大
风汗出则灸之，腰痛不可转摇急引阴卵刺八 与痛上，八 在腰尻分间，鼠 寒热，还刺寒
府，寒府在附膝外解营，取膝上外者使之拜，取足心者使之跪，任脉为病，男子内结七疝，
女子带下瘕聚，冲脉为病，逆气里急，督脉为病，脊强反折，此三脉生病者，从少腹上冲心
而痛，不得前后，为冲疝，其女子不孕，癃痔遗溺，嗌干，督脉生病治督脉，治在骨上（曲
骨穴也），甚者在齐下营，其上气有音者治其喉，中央在缺盆中者（天突穴也），其病上冲喉
者治其渐，渐者上挟颐也（大迎穴也），蹇膝伸不得屈治其楗，坐而膝痛治其机，立而暑解
治
其骸关，膝痛，痛及拇指治其 （委中穴也），坐而膝痛如物隐者治其关，膝痛不可屈伸，
治
其背内（大杼也），连 若折，治阳明中俞 （三里穴也），若别治巨阳少阴荥（通谷及然谷
穴），
淫泺胫酸，不能久立，治少阳之络，在外踝上五寸（光明穴也）。
It is stated that when using acupuncture, one must first clarify the location of bone joints. Once the bone joints are determined, the locations of the meridians can be distinguished. By measuring with body cun (a traditional unit of measurement), acupoints are identified for performing needle and moxibustion treatments. Observing the site of the disease, whether shallow or deep; if in the skin and hair, or in the blood vessels: for diseases of "movement" (Shi Dong), treat the Qi; for diseases of "generation" (Suo Sheng), treat the Blood. If the pathology is in the superficial collaterals (Fu Luo), draw blood from them; if in the tendons, use burning needle rapid puncture (Fan Zhen Jie Ci); if there is excess, apply the reducing method; if there is deficiency, apply the tonifying method; if neither excess nor deficiency, take points from the affected meridian itself. This is the general principle of treatment.
However, the number of bone joints in the human body is three hundred and sixty-five, corresponding to the days of a year. The locations of these joints vary in size, length, width, thickness, concealment, visibility, presence or absence of form, structure, and fluid. All have fixed forms, which is indeed the primary prerequisite for acupuncture techniques. Although recorded in the *Neijing* (Inner Canon), only the locations of bone voids (Gu Kong) are mentioned, while the theory of bone dimensions (Gu Du) exists only in name without specific methods. Consequently, the number three hundred and sixty-five has been lost, leading practitioners to arbitrarily guess acupoint locations without understanding the origin of bone joints, resulting in blind needling and unnecessary damage to muscles, which is truly regrettable. Now, by collecting data on bone dimensions from ancient medical classics and analyzing discussions on bones, the methods for all three hundred and sixty-five bones are compiled. This discussion on skeletal structure is thus presented as the first chapter of acupuncture methods.
The entire human body possesses three hundred and sixty-five bone joints, described sequentially in one hundred and sixty-five characters. Starting from above the Qian bone (钤骨) of the head to the Yuan bone (辕骨) anteriorly and laterally, forty-nine characters describe seventy-two bones. The center of the crown is the Dulu bone (都颅骨) [one] (has potential, slight marrow and fluid). Next is the Lou bone (髅骨) [one] (has potential, slight marrow). Anterior to the Lou bone is the Dingwei bone (顶威骨) [one] (slight marrow, absent in women). Posterior to the Lou bone is the Nao bone (脑骨) [one] (has potential, slight marrow). To the left of the Nao bone is the Zhen bone (枕骨) [one] (has potential, no fluid). To the right is the Jiu bone (就骨) [one] (has potential, no fluid). Between the Zhen and Jiu bones, attached inferiorly, is the Tiangai bone (天盖骨) [one] (inferiorly serves as the root of the lung system). Posterior to the Tiangai bone is the Tianzhu bone (天柱骨) [one] (inferiorly connects to the spinal cavity with marrow). Anterior to the Tiangai bone is the Yan bone (言骨) [one] (superiorly connects to the Lou bone, has potential, no marrow). Inferior to the Yan bone are the Sheben bones (舌本骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, no marrow). Anterior to the Lou bone is the Xin bone (囟骨) [one] (no potential, no fluid). Inferior to the Xin bone is the Fuwei bone (服委骨) [one] (colloquially misnamed Fuxi bone, no potential/marrow). Inferior to the Fuwei bone is the Jun bone (俊骨) [one] (attached inferiorly near the eyebrows, no potential/marrow). Superior to the left eyebrow is the Tianxian bone (天贤骨) [one] (no potential, no marrow). Superior to the right eyebrow is the Tiangui bone (天贵骨) [one] (directly above the eyes). Superior to the left eye is the Zhigong bone (智宫骨) [one] (no marrow, no potential). Superior to the right eye is the Mingmen bone (命门骨) [one] (no marrow/potential; between the two eyes lies the nose). Anterior to the nose is the Liang bone (梁骨) [one] (no marrow, no potential). To the left of the Liang bone is the Quan bone (颧骨) [one] (no potential, no marrow). To the right is the [missing character] bone [one] (has potential, no marrow). At the end of the Liang bone is the Songzhu bone (嵩柱骨) [one] (no potential/marrow; posterior to this is the ear region). The left ear corresponds to the Sizheng bone (司正骨) [one] (no marrow, no potential). The right ear corresponds to the Naxie bone (纳邪骨) [one] (no marrow, no potential). Posterior to the Sizheng and Naxie bones are the Wangu bones (完骨) [two, left and right] (no potential, no fluid). Attached internally superior to the Zheng/Xie bones is the Xi bone (嚏骨) [one] (no potential, little fluid). Superior and posterior to the Xi bone are the Tong bones (通骨) [four, left, right, anterior, posterior] (have potential, little fluid). Superior to the Xi bone is the [missing character] bone [one] (no potential, much fluid); its posterior connection forms the mandible. The left mandible is the Cheng bone (乘骨) [one] (has potential, much fluid). The right mandible is the Che bone (车骨) [one] (no potential, much fluid). Above and below the Cheng and Che bones are thirty-six teeth (no potential/marrow; otherwise fewer). Posterior to the Cheng and Che bones are the Yuan bones (辕骨) [two, left and right] (have fluid and potential).
Next, inferior to the Qian bone is the Danzhong area, extending laterally and anteriorly/posteriorly to [missing character], described in forty characters covering ninety-seven bones. Bilateral to the inferior aspect of the Yuan bone are the Qian bones (钤骨) [two] (much fluid). In the center of the Qian bones is the Huiyan bone (会厌骨) [one] (no potential/marrow). Inferior to the Qian bones are the Yan bones (咽骨) [three, left, middle, right] (no marrow). Inferior to the Yan bones are the Hou bones (喉骨) [three, left, middle, right] (no marrow). Inferior to the Hou bones are the Long bones (咙骨) [ten, circular arrangement] (no marrow). Internally and inferior to the Long bones are the Feixi bones (肺系骨) [twelve, clustered] (no potential/marrow). Posterior to the Feixi bones is the Gu bone (谷骨) [one] (no marrow). Inferior to the Gu bone are the Gedao bones (鬲道骨) [two, left and right] (no marrow). Laterally and inferior to the Long bones are the Shun bones (顺骨) [eight] (little fluid). At the ends of the Shun bones are the Shunyin bones (顺隐骨) [eight] (little fluid). Inferior and to the left of the Shun bones is the Dong bone (洞骨) [one] (absent in women). Inferior and to the right is the Peng bone (棚骨) [one] (absent in women). Centrally inferior to the Dong and Peng bones is the KT bone (KT骨) [one] (no marrow, colloquially Jiwei). Directly inferior to the KT bone is the Tianshu bone (天枢骨) [one] (no marrow). Bilaterally inferior to the Qian bones are the Quepen bones (缺盆骨) [two] (have potential, much fluid). Inferior and anterior to the left Quepen bone is the Xiayan bone (下厌骨) [one] (no marrow). Inferior and anterior to the right Quepen bone is the Fenshan bone (分膳骨) [one] (no marrow). Posterior and inferior to the Yan/Shan bones is the Cang bone (仓骨) [one] (no marrow). Bilaterally inferior to the Cang bone are the [missing character] bones [eight] (no fluid, have potential). Inferior to the left [missing character] bone is the Xiong bone (胸骨) [one] (large in men correlates with bravery). Inferior to the right [missing character] bone is the Dang bone (荡骨) [one] (large in women correlates with multiple husbands). Inferior to the Xiong bone is the Wu bone (乌骨) [one] (fullness in both sexes correlates with early graying hair). Inferior to the Dang bone is the Yi bone (臆骨) [one] (highness correlates with delusions). Posterior to the central Qian bone are the Jiyu bones (脊窳骨) [twenty-two] (connect superiorly to Tianzhu, have marrow). Inferior to the Jiyu bones is the Dadong bone (大动骨) [one] (connects superiorly to Tianzhu, totaling twenty-four). At the end of the Dadong bone is the Guixia bone (归下骨) [one] (Daoists call it Weilu). Posterior to the Guixia bone is the Cuan bone (篡骨) [one] (limits essence/fluid). Anterior to the Guixia bone is the [missing character] bone [one] (thinness correlates with poverty).
Next, bilateral from the Quepen bones to Chen, described in twenty-five characters covering sixty bones (referring to bones of the arms and ten fingers). Posterior to the Quepen bones are the Yujiagu bones (伛甲骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). At the ends of the Yujiagu bones are the Jiayin bones (甲隐骨) [two, left and right] (length correlates with wisdom). Anteriorly supporting the Quepen bones are the Feidong bones (飞动骨) [two, left and right] (atrophy correlates with flaccidity/paralysis). To the left of the Feidong bones is the Long [missing character] bone [one] (has potential, much marrow/fluid). To the right is the Huchong bone (虎冲骨) [one] (has potential, much marrow/fluid). Inferior to the Long [missing character] bone is the Longben bone (龙本骨) [one] (has potential, much marrow). Inferior to the Huchong bone is the Huduàn bone (虎端骨) [one] (has potential, much marrow). Inferior to the Ben/Duan bones is the wrist. Medially superior to the Longben bone is the Jinxian bone (进贤骨) [one] (prominence in men correlates with high official status). Medially superior to the Huduàn bone is the Jijue bone (及爵骨) [one] (height in women correlates with noble status). Anterior to the wrist are the Shangli bones (上力骨) [eight, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Next are the Zhu bones (驻骨) [ten, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Next are the Nuò bones (搦骨) [ten, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Next are the Zhushi bones (助势骨) [ten, left and right] (lateral to left are nails, lateral to right are fingernails). Below each nail/fingernail are the Chen bones (衬骨) [ten, left and right] (no potential, have fluid).
Next, inferior to the KT bone, extending anteriorly/posteriorly and laterally to Chubu, described in fifty-one characters covering one hundred and thirty-six bones (from below the breasts to the soles of the feet, where many bones converge). Inferior to the KT bone is the Xinbibi bone (心蔽骨) [one] (no marrow). To the left of the KT bone are the Xie bones (胁骨) [twelve, superior and inferior] (located in the small intestine region). At the ends of the left Xie bones are the Xieyin bones (胁隐骨) [twelve, sequential] (no marrow). Inferior to the Xie bones are the Jixie bones (季胁骨) [two] (much fluid). At the ends of the Jixie bones are the Ji Yin bones (季隐骨) [two] (no marrow). To the right of the KT bone are the Lei bones (肋骨) [twelve, superior and inferior] (located in the large intestine region). Inferior to the Lei bones are the [missing character] Lei bones [two] (no Yin bones, except in beasts). At the ends of the right Lei bones are the Lei Yin bones (肋隐骨) [twelve] (no marrow). Anterior to the [missing character] bone is the Daheng bone (大横骨) [one] (has potential, little marrow). Anterior to the Daheng bone are the Baihuan bones (白环骨) [two] (have potential and fluid). Anterior to the Baihuan bones are the Neifu bones (内辅骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Posterior to the Neifu bones are the Haiguan bones (骸关骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Inferior to the Haiguan bones are the Jian bones (楗骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Inferior to the Jian bones are the Bisu bones (髀枢骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, much marrow). At the lower end of the Bisu bones are the Xigai bones (膝盖骨) [two, left and right] (no potential, much fluid). Laterally to the Xigai bones are the Xiasheng bones (侠升骨) [two] (have potential, much fluid). Inferior to the Bisu bones is the [missing character] bone [two, left and right] (have potential, much marrow). Laterally to the [missing character] bone are the Waifu bones (外辅骨) [two, left and right] (have potential and fluid). Inferior to the [missing character] bone are the Li bones (立骨) [two, left and right] (have potential and fluid). Bilaterally around the Li bones are the internal and external malleoli bones (内外踝骨) [four] (have potential, little fluid). Anterior to the malleoli are the Xiali bones (下力骨) [ten, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Posterior to the malleoli are the Jinggu bones (京骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, little fluid). Anterior to the Xiali bones are the Shiqi bones (释欹骨) [ten, left and right] (have potential and fluid). Anterior to the Shiqi bones are the Qipu bones (起仆骨) [ten, left and right] (have potential). Anterior to the Qipu bones are the Pingzhu bones (平助骨) [ten, left and right] (have potential). Anterior to the Pingzhu bones are the Chenjiagu bones (衬甲骨) [ten, left and right] (no potential, little fluid). Laterally to the Shiqi bones are the He bones (核骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, much fluid). Inferior to the Qipu bones are the Chubu bones (初步骨) [two, left and right] (have potential, no marrow, have fluid; absent in women). These total three hundred and sixty-five bones. Heaven and Earth interact, and humans are the most spiritual. Women lack five bones: Dingwei, left Dong, right Peng, and Chubu, totaling three hundred and sixty bones. Additionally, men and women share one hundred and ninety bones that are either hidden, covered, or lack marrow/potential. The remaining two hundred and fifty-six bones possess marrow and fluid, storing tendons and connecting vessels, forming the body shape through the interaction of valleys and streams, known as the "Four Greats." This is the standard of bone dimensions.
In the past, the Yellow Emperor asked Bo Gao: "The Mai Du discusses the length of meridians; how is it established?" Bo Gao replied: "First measure the size, width, and length of bone joints, and the Mai Du is determined." The Emperor said: "I wish to hear the measurements of ordinary people. For a person seven chi five cun tall, what are the sizes and lengths of their bone joints?" Bo Gao said: "The circumference of the large bones of the head is two chi six cun; chest circumference four chi five cun; waist circumference four chi two cun. From the hairline to the nape is one chi two cun; from the hairline to the chin is one chi. For gentlemen, the measurement is standardized. From the knot of the throat to the center of the Quepen is four cun; from the Quepen to the KT is nine cun (excess indicates large lungs, deficiency indicates small lungs). From the KT to the Tianshu is eight cun (excess indicates large stomach, deficiency indicates small stomach). From the Tianshu to the Henggu is six and a half cun (excess indicates wide/long transverse colon, deficiency indicates narrow/short). The Henggu is six and a half cun long. From the upper border of the Henggu to the upper border of the Neifu is one chi eight cun; from the upper border of the Neifu to the lower border is three and a half cun; from the lower border of the Neifu to the inner malleolus is one chi three cun; from the inner malleolus to the ground is three cun. From the knee [missing character] to the foot attachment is one chi six cun; from the foot attachment to the ground is three cun. Thus, large bone circumference is excessive, small is deficient. From the angle of the jaw to the pillar bone is one chi; the part running unseen in the armpit is four cun; from the armpit to the costal margin is one chi two cun; from the costal margin to the Bisu is six cun; from the Bisu to the knee center is one chi nine cun; from the knee to the outer malleolus is one chi six cun; from the outer malleolus to the Jinggu is three cun; from the Jinggu to the ground is one cun. Behind the ear at the Wangu, the width is nine cun; in front of the ear at the Ermen, the width is one chi three cun. Between the two cheekbones is seven cun; between the two nipples is nine and a half cun; between the two thighs is six and a half cun. Foot length is one chi two cun, width four and a half cun. Shoulder to elbow is one chi seven cun; elbow to wrist is one chi two and a half cun; wrist to the base joint of the middle finger is four cun; from that joint to the tip is four and a half cun. From the nape hairline to the back bone is two and a half cun. From the Lu bone to the twenty-first coccygeal vertebra is three chi. The upper segments are one and one-quarter cun each, with the remainder at the bottom. Thus, the upper seven segments up to the Lu bone are nine and seven-eighths cun. These are the bone measurements of ordinary people, used to establish the length of meridians. Therefore, observing meridians in the body: those appearing floating and firm, bright and large, contain much blood; those appearing thin and deep contain much Qi."
When intending to use needles, one must clarify the location of bone voids and joint mechanisms. The *Neijing* states: "Above the auxiliary bone and below the horizontal bone is the Jian; beside the hip is the Ji; the knee separation is the Haiguan; beside the knee bone is the Lianhai; below the Hai is the Fu; above the Fu is [missing character]; above [missing character] is the Guan; the horizontal bone of the head is the Zhen." Regarding bone voids, the *Neijing* states: Marrow voids are located three fen behind the brain, beneath the sharp bone at the skull's edge (Fengfu acupoint); one is below the [missing character] base (below the chin); one is below the compound bone in the middle of the posterior neck (Yinmen acupoint); one is in the empty space of the spinal bone above the Fengfu (Naohu acupoint); the empty space below the spinal bone is in the empty space of the sacral bone (Changqiang acupoint); several marrow voids are on the face flanking the nose (Quan [missing character] acupoint); or a bone void is below the mouth facing both shoulders (Daying acupoint); two [missing character] bone voids are in the Yang of [missing character] (near the shoulder, name lost in transmission); arm bone voids are on the Yang aspect of the arm, four cun from the ankle between two bone voids (Tongjian acupoint); thigh bone upper void is on the Yang aspect of the thigh, four cun above the knee (Chengjian); [missing character] bone void is at the upper end of the auxiliary bone (Dubi acupoint); thigh interstice bone void is in the pubic hair moving downward (name missing in classics); sacral bone void is four cun posterior to the femoral bone (Ba [missing character] acupoint); flat bones have permeable textures but no marrow pores; marrow changes without voids, this is so.
For diseases belonging to the Taiyang and Shaoyin meridians, as well as the Chong, Ren, and Du meridians, the pathology originates in the bones; treat according to the key points with moxibustion and acupuncture. Thus, wind entering externally causes chills, aversion to cold, sweating, heaviness, headache, or neck pain; treat at Fengfu. Wind sensitivity: prick the brow ridge (Zanzhu acupoint). Stiff neck located in the horizontal bone between the shoulders (Quepen acupoint). Fracture/dislocation: extend the arm aligned with the elbow, moxa the spine center (Yangguan acupoint). Collateral involvement of the costal margin drawing pain to the lower abdomen: prick [missing character]. Severe wind with sweating: moxa it. Lower back pain with inability to twist or turn, urgently drawing to the scrotum: prick Ba [missing character] and the painful site. Ba [missing character] is in the interspace of the lumbar and sacrum. Rat abscesses with cold and heat: prick the Cold Mansion (Hanfu). Hanfu is located at the exterior solution camp adjacent to the knee. To access the upper outer knee, make the patient bow; to access the sole of the foot, make the patient kneel. Disease of the Ren Meridian: men present with seven types of hernia internally; women present with leukorrhea and masses. Disease of the Chong Meridian: rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency. Disease of the Du Meridian: stiff spine and opisthotonos. Diseases of these three meridians rising from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain, inability to urinate or defecate, constitute Chong Hernia. In women, infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, incontinence, and dry throat occur. Treating Du Meridian disease: treat above the bone (Qugu acupoint). Severe cases: treat below the navel at the Ying level. Upper Qi with sound: treat the throat, centrally at the Quepen (Tiantu acupoint). Disease rushing up the throat: treat the Jian, which夹 (clamps) the chin (Daying acupoint). Stiff knee unable to extend or flex: treat the Jian. Sitting with knee pain: treat the Ji. Standing with heat/sweating in the joint: treat the Haiguan. Knee pain radiating to the big toe: treat [missing character] (Weizhong acupoint). Sitting with knee pain feeling like a hidden object: treat the Guan. Knee pain unable to flex/extend: treat the interior of the back (Dazhu acupoint). Connected [missing character] as if broken: treat the Middle Shu of the Yangming (Zusanli acupoint). Alternatively, treat the Ying-Spring points of Taiyang and Shaoyin (Tonggu and Ran gu acupoints). Limping and leg soreness, unable to stand long: treat the collateral of Shaoyang, five cun above the outer malleolus (Guangming acupoint).