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It is stated that pulses have normal and abnormal states. The twelve regular meridians are the normal pulses. The eight extraordinary vessels are not constrained by the norms, hence they are called "Extraordinary Vessels" (Qijing). This refers to the fact that Qi and Blood in the human body usually circulate within the Twelve Regular Meridians. When the Qi and Blood of these meridians become full and overflow, they flow into the Extraordinary Vessels. There are eight extraordinary vessels: The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) governs the posterior midline; the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) governs the anterior midline; the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) runs alongside the Ren Mai and serves as the "Sea of all Vessels"; the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links and maintains all Yang meridians; the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links and maintains all Yin meridians. Yin and Yang mutually maintain each other, thus keeping all meridians harmonious. Besides the Linking Vessels, there is the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), which encircles the body like a belt, binding the other vessels. As for the Qiao Mai (Heel Vessels) of the two legs, there are Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao. The Yang Qiao Mai originates from the branch of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian, while the Yin Qiao Mai roots from the branch of the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian. This is akin to sages designing and setting up ditches to prepare for floodwaters, thereby avoiding the disaster of overflowing water. Humans possessing Extraordinary Vessels operate in the same manner. Now, we collectively compile the acupoints where the Eight Extraordinary Vessels emerge into one volume.

Du Mai (Governing Vessel): The Du Mai originates below the small intestine, at the central part of the bone. In women, it connects to the end of the Ting Kong (urethral opening); its collateral network circulates through the genitalia, converges at the Cu Jian (perianal region), circles behind the Cu at the Pingyi acupoint, branches to circle the buttocks, reaches the middle collaterals of the Shaoyin and Taiyang meridians, merges with the Shaoyin meridian, ascends along the medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, belongs to the Kidney, and intersects with the Taiyang meridian. It starts from the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, enters to network the Brain, returns out from the lower part of the brain to the nape, follows the interior of the shoulder blades, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters to circulate within the paraspinal muscles, and networks the Kidney. In men, it follows the penis down to the Cu, equal to the situation in women. Its branch rising straight from the lower abdomen penetrates the abdomen, passes through the heart, enters the throat, ascends to the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to tie the center below both eyes. Pathologies of this vessel include Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain, and inability to pass stool or urine, known as "Chong Hernia" (Chong Shan). In women, it may cause infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dryness of the pharynx. Treatment should focus on the Du Mai. The collateral branch of the Du Mai is named Changqiang (DU1), flanking the paraspinal muscles to ascend to the nape, scattering over the head, descending to the left and right below the scapulae, departing to run with the Taiyang meridian, entering to penetrate the paraspinal muscles and network the Kidney. Excess conditions manifest as spinal stiffness; deficiency conditions manifest as heaviness of the head. Treatment involves selecting the point of departure of the collateral. Thus, the *Nan Jing* states: The Du Mai originates from the lower extreme Shu point, runs parallel within the spine, ascends to the Fengfu (DU16) acupoint, enters to belong to the Brain, ascends to the vertex, follows the forehead to the nasal bridge, and is the "Sea of Yang Vessels." Disease of this vessel causes spinal stiffness and opisthotonos. The Du Mai runs from the head along the spinal column into the sacrum, measuring four chi five cun in length, with twenty-seven acupoints in total.

Ren Mai (Conception Vessel): The Ren Mai and Chong Mai both originate in the Baozhong (uterus/pelvic cavity), circulate within the abdominal interior, and serve as the Sea of the Meridians. The portion floating outwardly follows the abdomen upward, converges at the throat, and branches to network the lips and mouth. When Qi and Blood are abundant, the muscles feel hot; when Blood alone is abundant, it seeps into the skin, generating fine hair. Women tend to have excess Qi but deficient Blood due to frequent menstruation, injuring both the Ren and Chong vessels. The intersecting vessels of Ren and Chong do not nourish the lips and mouth, hence facial hair does not grow. Pathologies of the Ren Mai include seven types of internal hernias in men, and leukorrhea and mass accumulation in women. Thus, the *Nei Jing* states: The Ren Mai originates below the Zhongji (CV3) acupoint, ascends to the pubic hair line, circulates within the abdominal interior, ascends to the Guanyuan (CV4) acupoint, reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes, belonging to the "Sea of Yin Vessels." The course of the Ren Mai described above runs from the Baozhong upward to the eyes, measuring four chi five cun in length, with twenty-four acupoints in total.

Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel): The Yang Qiao Mai originates in the middle of the heel, follows the lateral malleolus upward, and enters the Fengchi (GB20) acupoint. When diseased, it causes relaxation of the Yin side and tension of the Yang side. Both Qiao Mai vessels originate from the branch of the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridian, merge with the Taiyang meridian, and their Qi ascends. When Qi moves together and reciprocates, it moistens the eyes; if Qi fails to nourish, the eyes cannot close. For men, the Yang Qiao is counted; for women, the Yin Qiao is counted. The one counted is considered a Main Meridian (Jing), and the one not counted is a Collateral (Luo). The Yang Qiao Mai measures eight chi in length. Its emerging acupoints originate at Shenmai (BL62), use Fuyang (BL59) as an interval, root at Puxcan (BL60), enter the Foot Shaoyang meridian, converge at Juliao (GB33), enter the Hand Yangming meridian, converge at Jianyu (LI15) and Jugu (SI11), and again meet with the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Yang Wei Mai at Tianliao (TE10). They meet with the Hand and Foot Yangming at Dicang (ST4), again meet with the Hand and Foot Yangming at Juliao (ST3), and again meet with the Ren Mai and Foot Yangming at Chengqi (ST1). These are the acupoints where the Yang Qiao Mai emerges, totaling twenty acupoints. Diseases of the Yang Qiao Mai are suitable for acupuncture treatment.

Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel): The Yin Qiao Mai also originates in the middle of the heel, follows the medial malleolus upward to the throat, and intersects with the Chong Mai. When diseased, it causes relaxation of the Yang side and tension of the Yin side. Hence, the Qiao Mai is referred to as the branch of the Shaoyin meridian, diverging after the RanGu (KI2) acupoint, ascending above the medial malleolus, going straight up along the medial thigh into the yin region, ascending along the interior of the chest, entering the Quepen (LU12) acupoint, ascending before the Yingchang (ST9) acupoint, entering the nose, belonging to the inner canthus, and merging with the Taiyang meridian. For women, this is counted as the Main Meridian; for men, as the Collateral. Both foot Qiao Mai vessels measure eight chi in length, and the interval for the Yin Qiao is at Jiaoxin (KI8). All diseases of the Yin Qiao Mai are treated at Jiaoxin (KI8).

Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel): The Chong Mai and Ren Mai both originate in the Baozhong, ascend along the interior of the spine, and serve as the Sea of the Meridians. The portion floating outwardly follows the abdomen upward, converges at the throat, and networks the lips and mouth. Therefore, it is said: The Chong Mai originates at the Qichong (ST30) acupoint, runs alongside the Foot Shaoyin meridian, flanks the umbilicus upward to the chest where it disperses. Pathology of this vessel causes rebellious Qi and internal urgency. The *Nan Jing* states that it runs alongside the Foot Yangming meridian. Examining the acupoints, the Foot Yangming meridian runs two cun to the left and right of the umbilicus and ascends, while the Foot Shaoyin meridian runs five fen to the left and right of the umbilicus and ascends. The *Zhen Jing* records that the Chong Mai and Du Mai both originate from the Huiyin (CV1) acupoint. In the abdomen, it runs through the Youmen (KI15), Tonggu (KI16), Yindu (KI17), Shiguan (KI18), Shangqu (KI19), Huangshu (KI16 - note: text says Huangshu, likely referring to Huangshu BL23 or similar context, but listed here as per text sequence often associated with KI/ShaoYin channel proximity in Chong Mai descriptions), Zhongzhu (KI19), Siman (KI20), Qixue (KI21), Dahe (KI22), and Henggu (KI23). Totaling twenty-two acupoints, all belonging to the Foot Shaoyin meridian's domain. Thus, it is clear that the Chong Mai runs alongside the Foot Shaoyin meridian.

Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel): The Yang Wei Mai links the Yang aspects. Its pulse originates at the convergence of all Yang meridians. Together with the Yin Wei Mai, it links and maintains the body. It stores overflowing Qi and Blood that cannot circulate continuously, irrigating the various Linking Vessels. If they fail to link mutually, disease manifests as melancholy and loss of willpower, with flaccidity preventing self-control. The acupoints where its Qi emerges diverge from Jinmen (BL63), use Yangjiao (GB35) as an interval, meet with the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Qiao Mai at Tianliao (TE10), meet with the Hand and Foot Shaoyang at Tianyou (TE16), and again meet at Jianjing (GB21). In the head, it meets the Foot Shaoyang at Yangbai (GB14), ascends to Benshen (GB13) and Zulin (GB15), ascends to Zhengying (EX-HN18), follows Naokong (EX-HN17), descends to Fengchi (GB20). Its intersection with the Du Mai is at Fengfu (DU16) and Yamen (DU15). The acupoints where the Yang Wei Mai Qi emerges total twenty-four.

Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel): The Yin Wei Mai also links and maintains the body, storing overflowing Qi and Blood that cannot circulate continuously to irrigate the meridians. The Yin Wei Mai links the Yin aspects, originating at the intersection of all Yin meridians. Its pathology is the same as that of the Yang Wei Mai. The acupoint where its Qi emerges, the interval of the Yin Wei Mai, is named Zhubin (KI9). It meets the Foot Taiyin at Daheng (SP15) and Fuai (SP16), again meets the Foot Taiyin and Foot Jueyin at Fushu (SP13) and Qimen (LR14), and meets the Ren Mai at Tiantu (CV22) and Lianquan (CV23). Tiantu is located in the depression below the larynx, and Lianquan is below the root of the tongue. The acupoints where the Yin Wei Mai Qi emerges total ten.

Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel): The Dai Mai originates at the costal margin, encircling the body once. When diseased, the waist and abdomen become flaccid and loose, resembling a bag filled with water. The acupoint where its Qi emerges is located one cun eight fen below the costal margin, directly opposite, named DaMai (GB26), signifying its encirclement like a belt. It also meets the Foot Shaoyang at Weidao (GB26). The acupoints where the Dai Mai emerges total four.