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Diagram of the Connection between the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Five Zang Organs [Image]

Diagram of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian Starting at Yin Hour [Image]

The twelve meridians circulate throughout the body like a ring without beginning or end because their operation corresponds to the movement of the heavens. The heavens complete one cycle (one day and night) by traversing 365 and 1/4 degrees. In the human body, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) circulate fifty times around the body. The Qi moves through 13,500 breaths (respiratory cycles), and the pulse travels 810 zhang, completing one day and night's cycle. This coincides with the re-union at the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian at the Yin hour of the next day. This matches the celestial degrees, repeating in a cycle. Speaking from the perspective of human respiration: during one exhalation, the pulse moves three cun; during one inhalation, it moves three cun; thus, in one complete respiratory cycle (inhale-exhale), it moves six cun. The Qi typically begins at dawn (Pingdan), enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian from the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), and finally enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. This involves 270 respiratory cycles, during which the pulse travels 16 zhang 2 chi. Two ke (water clock units) have elapsed, marking one full circulation of the body. It then returns to enter the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian again. Accumulating these cycles: one inhalation and one exhalation constitute one "xi" (breath unit). Each ke contains 135 xi. Each shichen (two-hour period) has eight ke, totaling 1,080 xi. Twelve shichen equal ninety-six ke, totaling 12,960 xi. Adding the fractional remainder of the ke yields 540 xi, for a grand total of 13,500 xi. One xi corresponds to six cun of pulse travel. Every two ke (270 xi) correspond to 16 zhang 2 chi. Every shichen (eight ke) corresponds to 64 zhang 8 chi. Ying and Wei Qi circulate four times around the body over twelve shichen (ninety-six ke), traveling 777 zhang 6 chi, equivalent to forty-eight full body circulations. The fractional remainder of the ke accounts for two more circulations, adding 32 zhang 4 chi. In total, this amounts to fifty full body circulations, with the pulse traveling 810 zhang. These are the detailed figures regarding respiration, pulse travel, body circulation degrees, and the hundred ke of day and night.

Diagram of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian [Image]

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian runs from the abdomen to the axilla, and from the axilla to the hand. This meridian is rich in Qi and poor in Blood. It starts at Zhongfu (LU-1) and ends at Shaoshang (LU-11), comprising eleven acupoints on each side, totaling twenty-two points bilaterally. As an organ, the Lung has six lobes and two auricles, shaped like a hanging canopy, attached at the third thoracic vertebra of the spine. There are twenty-four openings distributed in rows within it. Clear and turbid Qi gather here, hence the Lung is called the "Canopy of the Five Zang Organs."

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian begins at the Yin hour, originating in the Middle Jiao, descending to connect with the Large Intestine, returning to follow the stomach opening, passing through the diaphragm, and running to belong to its own meridian.
*Spinal Classic (Ling Shu)*, Chapter 10 states: The meridian of the Hand-Taiyin originates in the Middle Jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, returns to follow the stomach opening, passes through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Lung. ○ Mr. Hua (Shou) said: "Qi" means to originate; "Luo" means to surround/connect; "Huan" means to return; "Xun" means to patrol/follow; "Ju" means to rely on/be based on; "Yan" means to follow along; "Shu" means to belong/meet. The Middle Jiao is located in the middle of the stomach, at the Zhongwan point, four cun above the umbilicus. See "Large Intestine" in this chapter. "Stomach opening" refers to the upper and lower openings of the stomach. The upper opening is at the Shangwan point, five cun above the umbilicus; the lower opening is at the Xiaxia point, two cun above the umbilicus. The Diaphragm (Ge) is a partition. In the human heart, there is a diaphragmatic membrane connecting circumferentially with the spine and ribs, used to block turbid Qi from ascending to smoke the Heart and Lung. The Hand-Taiyin originates in the Middle Jiao, receiving the transition of Qi from the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. From there, it descends sequentially outside the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and inside the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. At the Shuifen point (RN-9), one cun above the umbilicus, it surrounds and connects with the Large Intestine. The Hand-Taiyin and Hand-Yangming are exterior-interior pairs. Thus, it runs again outside its own meridian, ascends along the stomach opening, winds up through the diaphragm, and belongs/meets at the Lung, where Ying Qi returns to its home organ. ○ Youmen (KI-21) see Kidney Meridian; Shuifen (RN-9) see Ren Mai.

After belonging to the Lung, it emerges from the Lung System (trachea/larynx), connects with the Lung, runs horizontally to the elbow.

It follows Tianfu (LU-8), descends past Xiabai (LU-9), gradually running anterior to the Pericardium (Hand-Jueyin) and Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, reaching Chize (LU-5) in the elbow crease, slightly off-center.
*Spinal Classic (Ling Shu)*, Chapter 10 states: From the Lung System, it emerges horizontally into the axilla, descends along the medial aspect of the arm, running anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridians, entering the elbow. ○ Mr. Hua said: The Lung System refers to the larynx/trachea, which receives air and connects downward to the Lung. The margin below the shoulder and above the rib is called the axilla. The area opposite the axilla on the arm is called . The joint between the elbow and forearm is the elbow-arm segment. From the Lung organ, following the Lung System, it emerges and runs horizontally, following the fourth row of the chest, passing through Zhongfu (LU-1) and Yunmen (LU-2) to exit the axilla. Descending along , it passes Tianfu (LU-8) and Xiabai (LU-9), running anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridians, entering the elbow to reach Chize (LU-5). Generally, the Hand-Shaoyin runs along the medial arm to emerge at the tip of the little finger; the Hand-Jueyin runs along the medial arm to emerge at the tip of the middle finger; the Hand-Taiyin runs anterior to these two meridians.
Zhongfu (LU-1): One cun below Yunmen, in the intercostal space three ribs below the nipple, where the artery is palpable in the depression.
Yunmen (LU-2): Take Tiantu (RN-22) one cun down, six cun laterally on both sides, in the depression of the pulsating artery. Take with arm raised. Tiantu see Ren Mai.
Tianfu (LU-8): Three cun below the axilla, in the pulsating artery on the medial aspect of . Use nasal inspiration to locate. Moxibustion is prohibited.
Xiabai (LU-9): Five cun below Tianfu towards the elbow, in the pulsating artery.
Chize (LU-5): In the center of the elbow crease, in the pulsating artery.

Following the medial arm to Kongzui (LU-6), at the bone gap, Lieque (LU-7) crosses the meridian transmission. Cun Kou is Jingqu (LU-8).
Posterior to the palm, Dayuan (Taiyuan LU-9) and Yuji (LU-10) emerge laterally, leading to Shaoshang (LU-11) at the head of the thumb.
*Spinal Classic (Ling Shu)*, Chapter 10 states: Following the medial arm, up the lower edge of the bone, entering Cun Kou, ascending to the fish, following the fish margin, emerging at the tip of the thumb. ○ Mr. Hua said: Below the elbow is the arm. "Lian" means corner or edge. The pulsating artery beside the high bone posterior to the palm is Guan. The pulsating artery anterior to Guan is Cun Kou. "Fish" and "Fish Margin" refer to the fleshy prominence anterior to the metacarpal bone and posterior to the base of the thumb, collectively called the Fish. Yuji is the name of the acupoint in the middle of this area. After descending into the elbow, it follows the medial arm, up the lower edge of the bone, passing Kongzui (LU-6) and Lieque (LU-7), entering Jingqu (LU-8) and Taiyuan (LU-9) at Cun Kou, ascending to the fish, following the fish margin, emerging at the tip of the thumb, ending at Shaoshang (LU-11). Duan means tip.
Kongzui (LU-6): Seven cun above the wrist, Xi-Cleft point of the Hand-Taiyin.
Lieque (LU-7): One cun five fen above the radial styloid process laterally. Cross hands; locate in the gap between the tendon and bone at the tip of the index finger. It is the Luo-Connecting point of the Taiyin, diverging to the Yangming.
Jingqu (LU-8): In the depression at Cun Kou. Moxibustion is prohibited.
Taiyuan (LU-9): In the depression posterior to the palm, meeting point of the vessels.
Yuji (LU-10): In the scattered vessels on the medial side posterior to the first metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.
Shaoshang (LU-11): On the medial side of the tip of the thumb, in the white flesh, in the depression, about as wide as a leek leaf from the nail.

Connects with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
*Spinal Classic (Ling Shu)*, Chapter 10 states: Its branch goes straight from behind the wrist to the inner border of the index finger, emerging at its tip. ○ Mr. Hua said: The end of the arm bone is the wrist. The main channel of the vessel is the Jing (Sinew) Meridian. The crossing channel is the Luo (Connecting) Meridian. This meridian ends at the tip of the thumb. This branch goes from Lieque (LU-7) behind the wrist to the inner border of the index finger, emerging at its tip to connect with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.
General Song:
Lung starts in Middle Jiao, connects with Large Intestine,
Returns to follow stomach opening, near the heart side.
Naturally belongs to Lung, runs horizontally through axilla,
Emerges from arm slowly, enters Shaoshang.

Commentary: The pulse of the Hand-Taiyin Lung originates in the Middle Jiao and ends at the medial tip of the thumb. Its branch goes straight from Lieque (LU-7) behind the wrist to the inner borders of the thumb and index fingers, emerging at their tips. It is three chi five cun long and connects with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Therefore, the Hand-Yangming pulse begins at Shangyang (LI-1) at the tip of the index finger.
Acupoint Song:
Eleven points of Hand-Taiyin: Zhongfu, Yunmen, Tianfu, Lieque,
Xiabai, Chize, Kongzui remain; Lieque, Jingqu, Dayuan traverse.
Yuji and Shaoshang like a leek leaf.

Song of Is-Dong and Suo-Sheng Diseases:
This meridian is rich in Qi and poor in Blood.
Is-Dong diseases include wheezing and coughing.
Lung distension, bloating, pain in the supraclavicular fossa,
Crossing of both hands and confusion constitutes Arm-Jue.
Suo-Sheng diseases involve Qi-related cough,
Wheezing, thirst, vexation, fullness in the brain/chest.
Pain along the anterior medial border of the arm,
Frequent urination, heat in the palm.
Deficiency causes shoulder/back pain and cold; Excess also causes pain, wind, sweating.
Points extend, shortness of Qi, insufficient breath,
Loss of essence without measure.

*Spinal Classic (Ling Shu)*, Chapter 10 states: Is-Dong diseases manifest as lung distension, fullness, bloating, wheezing, and coughing; pain in the supraclavicular fossa. Severe cases involve crossing both hands and confusion (Mao), constituting Arm-Jue. Suo-Sheng diseases are those primarily governed by the Lung: cough, asthma, thirst, vexation, cerebral fullness, pain along the anterior medial border of the arm, and heat in the palm. Excess leads to wind-cold pain in the shoulder and back, sweating, stroke-like symptoms, frequent urination, and yawning. Deficiency leads to shoulder/back pain with cold, shortness of Qi, inability to breathe deeply, weak complexion, and color changes. For these diseases: excess is drained, deficiency is tonified, heat is treated quickly, cold is retained (needling technique), sinking is moxa-ed, and neither excess nor deficiency is treated by regulating the meridian itself. In excess, Cun Kou is three times larger than Ren Ying; in deficiency, Cun Kou is smaller than Ren Ying. ○ Mr. Hua: In "Suo-Sheng diseases," "cough" includes "sao" (phlegm); under "anterior border pain," "Jue" is absent; "wind-cold." Mr. Hua says: "Cold" character is likely superfluous. Under "urine color change," there are five characters "sudden loss of essence without measure." ○ Yue Ren (Bian Que) said: The classic mentions pulses having Is-Dong and Suo-Sheng diseases; how does one pulse become two? The classic says Is-Dong is Qi disease, Suo-Sheng is Blood disease. Pathogen in Qi causes Qi to move (Is-Dong); pathogen in Blood causes Blood to become diseased (Suo-Sheng). Qi governs warming/moistening, Blood nourishes. Stagnant Qi that does not flow is the primary Qi disease; obstructed Blood that does not nourish is the secondary Blood disease. Hence, Is-Dong comes first, followed by Suo-Sheng. ○ Mr. Hua said: This "Mai" (pulse/vessel) refers not to the Cun-Guan-Chi positions but to the twelve meridian channels. Subsequent mentions of Is-Dong and Suo-Sheng follow this meaning.

Phonetic Notes
Wan (nu hou fan) Bo (sound bo) Wan (sound huan) Mao (sound mao) Ye (sound yi) Bi (sound bi)
Yi (sound yi) Li (sound li) Miao (sound miao) Xia (sound )