Library

The three Hand-Yang meridians run along the lateral aspect of the arms and reach the head; the three Hand-Yin meridians run along the medial aspect of the chest and reach the hands. The three Foot-Yang meridians run from the lateral aspect of the head to the feet; the three Foot-Yin meridians ascend from the medial aspect of the feet.

[Note] "The three Hand-Yang meridians run along the lateral aspect of the arms and reach the head" refers to: The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Shou Yangming Dachang Jing) starts from the medial end of the index finger, ascends along the upper part of the lateral aspect of the arm, and reaches the sides of the nostrils on the head; The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Shou Shaoyang Sanjiao Jing) starts from the lateral end of the ring finger, ascends along the middle part of the lateral aspect of the arm, and reaches the artery in front of the ear on the head; The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (Shou Taiyang Xiaochang Jing) starts from the lateral end of the little finger, ascends along the lower part of the lateral aspect of the arm, and reaches the center of the ear on the head.

"The three Hand-Yin meridians run along the medial aspect of the chest and reach the hands" refers to: The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shou Taiyin Fei Jing) runs from the upper chest near the breast along the medial aspect, descends to the upper part of the medial aspect of the elbow and arm, and reaches the medial end of the thumb; The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (Shou Juexin Baojing) runs from outside the armpit and breast along the medial aspect, descends to the middle part of the medial aspect of the elbow and arm, and reaches the tip of the middle finger; The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Shou Shaoyin Xin Jing) runs from between the tendons of the armpit along the medial aspect, descends to the lower part of the medial aspect of the elbow and arm, and reaches the medial end of the little finger.

"The three Foot-Yang meridians run from the lateral aspect of the head to the feet" refers to: The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (Zu Yangming Weijing) runs from below the eyes, along the cheek and neck to the midline of the breast, descends along the lateral abdomen, thigh, knee, and anterior dorsum of the foot, reaching the tip of the second toe; The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Zu Shaoyang Danjing) runs from the lateral canthus of the eye, winds around the ear to the vertex, descends along the hypochondrium, hip, knee, and middle dorsum of the foot, reaching the lateral tip of the fourth toe; The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Zu Taiyang Pangguang Jing) runs from the medial canthus of the eye, along the forehead, vertex, nape, and back, descends along the posterior aspect of the buttock and ankle, reaching the lateral tip of the little toe.

"The three Foot-Yin meridians ascend from the medial aspect of the feet" refers to: The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Zu Jueyin Ganjing) starts from the lateral end of the big toe, ascends along the anterior aspect to above the medial malleolus, then along the middle of the knee, passes through the genitalia and lateral abdomen/flank, ascending to below the breast; The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Zu Taiyin Pijing) starts from the medial end of the big toe, ascends along the medial malleolus, popliteal fossa, and medial thigh, reaching the middle of the abdomen and costal margin; The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Zu Shaoyin Shensheng) starts from the sole of the foot, ascends along the medial malleolus and medial heel, reaching the interior of the abdomen and chest.

All Yang meridians run on the exterior/lateral aspects, and all Yin meridians run on the interior/medial aspects; this pattern applies to the limbs, back, and abdomen alike.