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The meridian of Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) originates at the tip of the great toe. It follows the medial side of the toe (the medial side of the great toe, where Yinbai SP1 is located; *Suwen* states: The root of Taiyin starts at Yinbai). It passes the junction of white and red skin, moves behind the nuclear bone (below the nuclear bone, where Taibai SP3 is located), ascends to the anterior margin of the medial malleolus (Shangqiu SP5 is located anterior to this medial malleolus), and goes up to the calf (referring to the fleshy part of the posterior tibia, resembling a fish belly). It follows the posterior border of the tibia, crosses anterior to Jueyin (Liver) before reaching the posterior aspect of the tibia (Jueyin runs anterior to Taiyin; after passing the posterior tibia, Taiyin re-emerges anteriorly). It ascends along the knee (on the lateral side below the knee, where Yinlingquan SP9 is located), enters the anterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the abdomen, and connects with the Spleen (Foot-Taiyin is the meridian of the Spleen, thus its pulse belongs to the Spleen). It links with the Stomach (the Stomach is the support of the Spleen, so the Spleen meridian's collateral links to the Stomach). It ascends through the diaphragm, flanks the pharynx, and connects to the root of the tongue (the root of the tongue is connected to the epiglottis, the place where voice is emitted). It scatters under the tongue (there is fluid under the tongue, which is the spiritual moisture of the Spleen; Daoists drink this fluid to prolong life, calling it Huachi; Zhongchang Tong said: Swallowing the spring water under the tongue is called Taicang). Its branch diverges from the Stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart (Foot-Taiyin intersects with Hand-Shaoyin here).

When this meridian is disturbed, diseases occur (Foot-Taiyin usually has abundant Qi and scarce Blood; when Qi is diseased first, it is called "Is-Dong" disease): The root of the tongue becomes stiff, vomiting occurs after eating (as stated in *Suwen*, vomiting occurs because food fills up and overflows), epigastric pain (because the meridian links with the Stomach), abdominal distension (as stated in *Suwen, Taiyin corresponds to the eleventh month when the Qi of all things is stored within, hence disease manifests as distension), frequent belching (as stated in *Suwen*, the Heart governs belching; now the Yin Qi of Foot-Taiyin is excessive and moves upward to the Heart, causing belching, because its branch diverges from the Stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart), relief of symptoms after defecation or passage of gas (as stated in *Suwen*, relief occurs in the twelfth month when Yin Qi declines downward and Yang Qi begins to exit, hence the disease presents this way), heaviness of the body (because the Spleen governs muscles, Spleen disease causes bodily heaviness).

This meridian governs diseases generated by the Spleen (Blood is affected by Qi, which generates it, hence called "Suo-Sheng-Bing"): Pain at the root of the tongue, inability to move the body, difficulty in eating, vexation, urgency and pain in the heart region, cold malaria (malaria starting with chills followed by fever is called Cold Malaria; starting with fever followed by chills is called Warm Malaria; only fever without chills is called Dan Malaria), loose stools, masses, water retention (referencing *Jiayi Jing*, written as "loose watery diarrhea," pathological nature is water-dampness; loose stool like thin soup is referred to in *Suwen* as Sundun diarrhea), jaundice, inability to lie flat, stiffness upon standing, swelling and coldness in the inner thighs and knees, dysfunction of the great toe. In excess conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is three times larger than the Ren Ying pulse; in deficiency conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is smaller than the Ren Ying pulse.

The collateral vessel of Foot-Taiyin is named Gongsun (SP4), one cun posterior to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the great toe, diverging to connect with Yangming. Its branch enters and links with the intestines and stomach. If rebellious Qi ascends, Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) occurs. Excess conditions manifest as cutting pain in the intestines; deficiency conditions manifest as drum-like abdominal distension. Treatment involves selecting the point where the collateral diverges.

The sinews of Foot-Taiyin originate at the medial tip of the great toe, ascending to knot at the medial malleolus. The straight branch ascends to knot at the medial condyle of the tibia, follows the medial thigh, knots at the hip, gathers at the genitalia, ascends to the abdomen, knots at the umbilicus, follows the interior of the abdomen, knots at the hypochondrium, scatters in the chest. The internal branch attaches to the spine. Diseases include: pain supporting the medial malleolus in the great toe, tendon spasms and pain, pain at the medial tibial condyle, pain radiating from the medial thigh to the hip, torsion pain in the genitalia, upward radiation to the umbilicus and bilateral hypochondrium, radiation to the center of the chest and inner spine. Treatment uses burning needle rapid puncture, taking effectiveness as the criterion, and pain points as Shu points. This disease is called Mengqiu Bi.

Evil invading the collateral of Foot-Taiyin causes lower back pain, radiating to the lower abdomen and controlling the testicles, making supine position impossible. Immediate acupuncture should be applied to the gap of the lumbosacral region, above the two gluteal muscles, known as Yao. The number of needle insertions should vary according to the waxing and waning of the moon. Pain ceases immediately upon needling. Treat left for right, right for left.

Diseases of the Spleen present with heavy body, easy hunger, muscle flaccidity, foot laxity and inability to hold weight, frequent tripping while walking, and sole pain. Deficiency presents with abdominal fullness, borborygmus, undigested food in stool. Treatment involves selecting blood points of Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Yangming, and Foot-Shaoyin.

Patients with Spleen Heat disease first experience heavy head, cheek pain, vexation, bluish complexion, desire to vomit, and body heat. When heat struggles with righteous Qi, lower back pain prevents flexion and extension, abdominal fullness occurs, and bilateral mandible pain appears. Symptoms worsen on Jia/Yi days and are severe on Wu/Ji days. Profuse sweating with rebellious Qi leads to death on Jia/Yi days. Treatment involves needling Foot-Taiyin and Foot-Yangming meridians.

The major collateral of the Spleen is named Dabao (SP21), emerging three cun below Yuanshi, spreading over the chest and hypochondrium. Excess manifests as whole-body coldness; deficiency manifests as laxity of all joints. This collateral, like a net covering the body, should all be treated.

Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian travels from the foot to the chest, measuring six chi five cun in length, totaling one zhang three chi on both sides. There are forty-two acupoints in total:
Yinbai (2 points), Dadu (2 points), Taibai (2 points), Gongsun (2 points), Shangqiu (2 points), Sanyinjiao (2 points), Lougu (2 points), Diji (2 points), Yinlingquan (2 points), Xuehai (2 points), Jimen (2 points), Chongmen (2 points), Fushhe (2 points), Daheng (2 points), Fu'ai (2 points), Shidou (2 points), Tianxi (2 points), Xiongxiang (2 points), Zhourong (2 points), Dabao (2 points).