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Figure of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian

The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Shou Yangming Da Chang Jing) runs from the hand to the head, and from the head to the abdomen. The Qi and Blood in this meridian are abundant. It starts at Shangyang (LI1) and ends at Yingxiang (LI20), totaling twenty acupoints on each side, or forty acupoints bilaterally. As a Fu organ (hollow organ), the Large Intestine is two zhang one chi long and four cun wide, located to the right of the umbilicus, with sixteen curves.

The acupoints of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian include: Shangyang (LI1), Erjian (LI2), Sanjian (LI3), Hegu (LI4), and Yangxi (LI5, located between the two tendons).
*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "The pulse of the Hand-Yangming meridian originates at the end of the second finger, follows the radial aspect of the finger, emerges between the two bones at Hegu (LI4), and ascends into the space between the two tendons." Master Hua Shou explains: The term "second finger" refers to the index finger. The circulation principle of meridians is that Yin meridians run along the medial (inner) aspect of the hands and feet, while Yang meridians run along the lateral (outer) aspect. From between the two bones, it ascends again into the space between the two tendons at Yangxi (LI5).

Shangyang (LI1): Located on the hand, on the radial side of the index finger, approximately the width of a leek leaf from the corner of the nail.
Erjian (LI2): Located on the hand, in the depression on the radial side proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint of the index finger.
Sanjian (LI3): Located on the hand, in the depression on the radial side distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint of the index finger.
Hegu (LI4): Located on the hand, in the depression between the first and second metacarpal bones, where an arterial pulse can be felt.
Yangxi (LI5): Located on the wrist, in the depression between the two tendons on the radial side of the wrist crease.

Proceeding up the arm, it passes through Pianli (LI6), Wenliu (LI7), Xialian (LI8), Shanglian (LI9), Sanli (LI10), reaches Quchi (LI11) at the elbow; then ascends to Wuli (LI13), Binao (LI14), and Jianyu (LI15), between the two bones.
*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "It ascends along the lateral aspect of the arm, enters the lateral aspect of the elbow, follows the anterior lateral aspect of the humerus, and ascends to the shoulder." Master Hua Shou explains: From Yangxi (LI5) upwards, it follows the lateral aspect of the arm through Pianli (LI6), Wenliu (LI7), Xialian (LI8), Shanglian (LI9), Sanli (LI10), enters Quchi (LI11) at the lateral aspect of the elbow, follows the anterior lateral aspect of the humerus through Zhouliao (LI12), Wuli (LI13), Binao (LI14), and the Luo-connecting point, meeting at Jianyu (LI15). This area intersects with the Hand-Shaoyang meridian and the Luo-connecting vessel of the Hand-Yangming meridian.

Pianli (LI6): Located three cun distal to the wrist crease, diverging to connect with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Wenliu (LI7): Located in the arterial pulse six cun proximal to the wrist on the ulnar side, or five cun on the radial side.
Xialian (LI8): Located below the olecranon process, one cun distal to Shanglian (LI9) and four cun proximal to Quchi (LI11).
Shanglian (LI9): Located one cun distal to Sanli (LI10).
Sanli (LI10): Located two cun distal to Quchi (LI11); the muscle bulges upon pressure.
Quchi (LI11): Located in the depression at the lateral end of the elbow when the elbow is flexed; take the point with arms crossed over the chest.
Zhouliao (LI12): Located in the depression at the lateral aspect of the large bone of the elbow.
Wuli (LI13): Located three cun proximal to the elbow, in the large vessel towards the interior; acupuncture is prohibited here.
Binao (LI14): Located seven cun proximal to the elbow; towards the tip, it is the Luo-connecting point of the Hand-Yangming meridian.
Jianyu (LI15): Located in the depression between the two bones at the shoulder tip; when the arm is raised, there is a gap. It is the intersection of the Hand-Yangming meridian and the Qiao vessels.
Gugu (LI16): Intersects with Dazhui (GV14) superiorly.

*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "It emerges from the anterior border of the clavicle, ascends out to the intersection of the vertebral column." Master Hua Shou explains: The space between the two bones at the shoulder tip is the clavicular fossa; the upper margin of the scapula meets at the Tianzhu bone. Emerging from the anterior border of the clavicle, it follows the Gugu (LI16) acupoint, ascends out to the intersection of the vertebral column, and meets at Dazhui (GV14). Dazhui (GV14) belongs to the Du Mai (Conception Vessel), serving as the intersection of the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians and the Du Mai.

Gugu (LI16): Located in the depression between the two forked bones (clavicle and acromion) ascending from the shoulder tip; it is the intersection of the Hand-Yangming meridian and the Qiao vessels.

This meridian descends straight into the Quepen (supraclavicular fossa), running in the depression. It originally belongs to the exterior connections of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, surrounds the Lungs, descends through the diaphragm, and finally connects to the Large Intestine.
*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "It descends into the Quepen, connects with the Lungs, descends through the diaphragm, and connects to the Large Intestine." Master Hua Shou explains: From Dazhui (GV14) downwards, it enters the Quepen, follows the exterior connections of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, surrounds the Lungs, descends through the diaphragm, meets the Tianshu (ST25) branch, and connects to the Large Intestine. Quepen and Tianshu are both found in the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.

Its branch diverges from the Quepen, ascends to Tianding (LI17) and Futu (LI18), passes through the cheek, and enters the lower teeth.
*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "Its branch goes up from the Quepen to the head, passes through the cheek, and enters the lower teeth." Master Hua Shou explains: The neck connects the head. The curved part below the ear forms the mouth; the smaller front part contains the teeth. Its branch ascends from the Quepen through the neck, passing through Tianding (LI17) and Futu (LI18), passes through the cheek, and enters the lower gum line.

Tianding (LI17): Located on the neck, directly above Quepen, one cun posterior to Futu (LI18); take the point with the head tilted back.
Futu (LI18): Located one cun five fen posterior to Qishe (ST12), or one cun five fen posterior to Renying (ST9); take the point with the head tilted back. Qishe and Renying are found in the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.

Ascending to the lip, it crosses at the Renzhong (GV26) acupoint, intersecting left and right, flanking the nostrils. The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Du Mai (Governing Vessel), and Hand-Yangming meridian converge here. He liao (LI19) and Yingxiang (LI20) are one cun apart. Yingxiang (LI20) connects with the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.
*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "It returns, emerging beside the mouth, crossing at Renzhong (GV26); the left channel goes to the right, the right channel goes to the left, ascending beside the nostrils." Master Hua Shou explains: Above the lips and below the nasal columella is Renzhong (GV26). After entering the gum line, it emerges beside the corners of the mouth, crossing at Renzhong (GV26); the left channel moves to the right, the right channel moves to the left, ascending beside the nostrils, following Heliao (LI19) and Yingxiang (LI20) to terminate, connecting with the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Renzhong (GV26) belongs to the Du Mai, serving as the intersection of the Hand-Yangming and Du Mai meridians.

Heliao (LI19): Located below the nostril, five fen lateral to the Philtrum (Shuigou); moxibustion is prohibited.
Yingxiang (LI20): Located one cun superior to Heliao (LI19), five fen lateral to the nostril; it is the intersection of the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians; moxibustion is prohibited.

General Song:
Hand-Yangming meridian starts at Shangyang, passes the arm, crosses the shoulder, connects to the Large Intestine,
Emerges again from Quepen, enters the teeth, ascends beside the nose to Yingxiang.

Commentary: The pulse of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine meridian originates at the medial end of the index finger, ascends to connect with the Lungs, and joins the Large Intestine. Its branch enters the lower teeth from Quepen, crossing left to right and right to left at Renzhong (GV26), extending horizontally to Chengqi (ST1) under the eyes. It is five chi long and connects with the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Thus, the Foot-Yangming meridian starts at Chengqi (ST1).

Song of Starting Acupoints:
Hand-Yangming begins at Shangyang, Erjian and Sanjian, Hegu resides there,
Yangxi, Pianli, and Wenliu follow, Xialian, Shanglian, and Sanli extend,
Quchi at the elbow, Zhouliao, Wuli, Binao, Jianyu, and Gugu stand tall,
Tianding, Futu, Heliao connect, ending finally at Yingxiang, twenty acupoints total.

Song of Disorders Arising from Movement and Generation:
When Qi is abundant, Blood is also abundant; movement disorders cause neck swelling and toothache,
Generated diseases include epistaxis, yellow eyes, dry mouth, and throat obstruction,
The index and middle fingers become difficult to use, pain persists in the anterior shoulder and lateral arm.
*Jingluo* Chapter 10 states: "Disorders arising from movement include toothache and neck swelling; it governs diseases related to Jin Ye (Body Fluids). Generated diseases include yellow eyes, dry mouth, rhinorrhea/epistaxis, throat obstruction, pain in the anterior shoulder and arm, and pain/uselessness of the index and middle fingers. Excess Qi causes heat and swelling along the meridian path; deficiency causes cold shivering without recovery. For these diseases: excess is drained, deficiency is tonified, heat is treated quickly, cold is retained, sinking points are moxa-ed, and neither excess nor deficiency is treated by selecting points from the meridian itself. In excess cases, the Renying pulse is three times larger than the Cunkou pulse; in deficiency cases, the Renying pulse is smaller than the Cunkou pulse."

Phonetic Glossary:
(Ju yun ye) Jia (pronounced Jia, dorsal scapula) Jia (You Xie fan, jaw/cheek) Wen (pronounced Wen, rising tone) Qiu (pronounced Qiu, nasal congestion)