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Diagram of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian

The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian travels from the foot to the abdomen, and from the abdomen to the eye. This meridian is characterized by abundant blood and scarce Qi. It originates at Dadun (LR1) and terminates at Qimen (LR14), comprising thirteen acupoints on each side, totaling twenty-six acupoints bilaterally. The liver, as a zang organ, has three lobes on the left and four on the right, making seven lobes in total. Its treatment is associated with the Foot-Jueyin Meridian.

The Foot-Jueyin Meridian originates at Dadun (LR1) in the pubic hair region, passes through Xingjian (LR2), Taichong (LR3), and Zhongfeng (LR4), located one cun and a half anterior to the medial malleolus. *Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "The Foot-Jueyin vessel originates at the tuft of hair on the big toe, ascends along the medial aspect of the dorsum of the foot, one cun away from the medial malleolus." Mr. Hua Shou stated: "The three hairs behind the nail of the big toe are called 'Sanmao' (Three Hairs); the transverse crease behind Sanmao is called 'Jumao' (Gathered Hair). 'Qu xiang' means to depart. The Foot-Jueyin Meridian originates at Dadun (LR1) in the Jumao of the big toe, ascends along the medial aspect of the dorsum of the foot, passing through Xingjian (LR2) and Taichong (LR3)..."

Dadun (LR1): Located at the tip of the big toe, about the width of a leek leaf from the nail corner, within the tuft of hair.
Xingjian (LR2): Located in the depression where the arterial pulse is palpable between the first and second toes.
Taichong (LR3): Located three cun posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, or approximately 1.5 cun in the depression of the bone gap, where the arterial pulse is palpable.
Zhongfeng (LR4): Located one cun anterior to the medial malleolus in an oblique depression. To locate it, have the patient lie supine; if Qi is stagnant, it will be blocked; if Qi is harmonious, it will be open. Moving the foot helps in finding it.
Sanyinjiao (SP6), Ligou (LR5), Zhongdu (LR8) above the ankle: At eight cun above the medial malleolus on the tibia, emerging posterior to the Taiyang channel, leading to Xiguan (LR7) and Ququan (LR8). *Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "Eight cun above the ankle, it emerges posterior to the Taiyin channel and ascends along the medial aspect of the leg." Mr. Hua Shou stated: "From Zhongfeng (LR4) above the ankle, passing Sanyinjiao (SP6), through Ligou (LR5) and Zhongdu (LR8), then one cun higher, it emerges posterior to the Taiyin channel, ascending along the medial aspect of the leg to Xiguan (LR7) and Ququan (LR8)." Sanyinjiao (SP6) is seen in the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and is the intersection of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney, Foot-Taiyin Spleen, and Foot-Jueyin Liver meridians.
Ligou (LR5): Located five cun above the medial malleolus; it is the Luo-Connecting point of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian.
Zhongdu (LR8): Located seven cun above the medial malleolus on the tibia, directly opposite the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
Xiguan (LR7): Located two cun below Dubi (ST35) in a depression. Dubi (ST35) is seen in the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.
Ququan (LR8): Located in the depression below the medial condyle of the tibia, between the large tendon and the small tendon, found when the knee is flexed, at the head of the transverse popliteal crease.

The meridian follows the medial aspect of the thigh, passing through Yinbao (LR9), Zhangmen (LR13), Wuli (LR11), Yinlian (LR12), reaching Chongmen (SP12) and Fushhe (SP13). It circles the genitalia and lower abdomen, ascending to the end of Qugu (RN2). The pulse enters Zhongji (RN3), belonging to the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) section, passing above Guanyuan (RN4), over the abdomen, Zhangmen (LR13), the umbilicus, to the end of the costal margin, entering directly into Qimen (LR14), the Front-Mu point of the Liver. It winds around the Gallbladder, following the Mu points, according to Riyue (GB24). *Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "It follows the medial aspect of the thigh, enters the pubic hair region, passes around the genitalia, reaches the lower abdomen, flanks the stomach, belongs to the Liver, and connects with the Gallbladder." Mr. Hua Shou wrote "follows the thigh into the yin, encircling the genitalia." Mr. Hua Shou stated: "The inner thigh is the gu (thigh); below the umbilicus is the lower abdomen. Ascending from Ququan (LR8), it follows the medial aspect of the thigh through Yinbao (LR9), Wuli (LR11), and Yinlian (LR12), corresponding to the areas of Chongmen (SP12) and Fushhe (SP13). It enters the pubic hair region, intersects left and right, circles the genitalia, reaches the lower abdomen, and ascends to meet at Qugu (RN2), Zhongji (RN3), and Guanyuan (RN4), then follows Zhangmen (LR13) to Qimen (LR14). It flanks the stomach, belongs to the Liver, descends to Riyue (GB24), and connects with the Gallbladder." Chongmen (SP12) and Fushhe (SP13) are seen in the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian; Qugu (RN2) is seen in the Ren Mai, an intersection of the Foot-Jueyin and Ren Mai; Zhongji (RN3) and Guanyuan (RN4) are seen in the Ren Mai, intersections of the Foot-Sanyin and Ren Mai; Riyue (GB24) is seen in the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.

Yinbao (LR9): Located four cun above the knee, between the two tendons on the medial aspect of the thigh, where the Foot-Jueyin diverges.
Wuli (LR11): Located three cun below Qichong (ST30) in the arterial pulse of the medial thigh.
Yinlian (LR12): Located two cun below Qichong (ST30) at the arterial pulse, near the anatomical landmark known as "Yangshi" (testis/labia majora reference).
Zhangmen (LR13): Located lateral to Dahuang (SP15). To locate, lie down, flex the upper leg, extend the lower leg, and raise the arm; or measure two cun above the umbilicus and four and a half cun laterally. It is the intersection of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, the Front-Mu point of the Spleen, and the Hui-Meeting point of the Zang organs.
Qimen (LR14): Located four and a half cun lateral to Juque (RN14), directly below the nipple, one and a half cun below the second rib end, in the arterial pulse. It is the intersection of the Foot-Jueyin Liver, Foot-Taiyin Spleen, and Yinwei Mai, and is the Front-Mu point of the Liver.

The meridian penetrates the diaphragm, passes outside Shidou (ST16), inside Dabao (SP21), spreads through the hypochondrium. Between Yunmen (LU2) and Yuanye (GB22), outside Yingchang (ST9), it follows the posterior aspect of the throat, enters the nasopharynx (Hangsang), passes outside Daying (ST5), Dicang (ST4), Sibai (ST2), Yangbai (GB14), connects with the visual system (Muxi), emerges above the forehead, runs inside Linqi (GB15), and meets the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) at Baihui (DU20) on the vertex. *Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "It ascends through the diaphragm, spreads in the hypochondrium, follows the posterior aspect of the throat, enters the nasopharynx, connects with the visual system, emerges above the forehead, and meets the Du Mai at the vertex." Mr. Hua Shou stated: "The deep connection inside the eye is the Muxi (visual system); Hangsang is the nasopharynx. From Qimen (LR14), it ascends through the diaphragm, passes outside Shidou (ST16) and inside Dabao (SP21), spreading through the hypochondrium, between Yunmen (LU2) and Yuanye (GB22), outside Yingchang (ST9), following the posterior aspect of the throat, entering the nasopharynx, passing outside Daying (ST5), Dicang (ST4), Sibai (ST2), and Yangbai (GB14), connecting with the visual system, emerging above the forehead, running inside Linqi (GB15), and meeting the Du Mai at Baihui (DU20) on the vertex." Shidou (ST16) and Dabao (SP21) are seen in the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian; Yunmen (LU2) is seen in the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian; Yuanye (GB20) is seen in the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; Yingchang (ST9), Daying (ST5), Dicang (ST4), and Sibai (ST2) are seen in the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian; Yangbai (GB14) and Linqi (GB15) are seen in the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; Baihui (DU20) is seen in the Du Mai.

Another branch arises from the visual system, goes to the cheek, and returns to the lips. *Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "A branch descends from the visual system to the interior of the cheek and circles the inside of the lips." Mr. Hua Shou stated: "Previously, it connected with the visual system and emerged above the forehead. This branch descends from the visual system, outside the Ren Mai and inside the main meridian, goes down to the cheek interior, and intersects/circles inside the lips."

A separate branch penetrates the diaphragm, originating from Qimen (LR14) and Shidou (ST16), exiting the main meridian to connect with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. *Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "Another branch separates from the Liver, penetrates the diaphragm, and ascends to pour into the Lung." Mr. Hua Shou stated: "This branching meridian for connection separates from the Liver at Qimen (LR14), penetrates the diaphragm, passes outside Shidou (ST16) and inside the main meridian, ascends to pour into the Lung, descends to the Middle Jiao, flanks Zhongwan (RN12), and connects with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian." Shidou (ST16) is seen in the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian; Zhongwan (RN12) is seen in the Ren Mai.

General Song:
"Dadun ascends the ankle to intersect, enters the thigh and returns to yin, not reaching the waist, reaches the intestines, belongs to the Liver, then connects with the Gallbladder. From the Liver, it penetrates the diaphragm and returns to the Middle Jiao."
Commentary: The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian originates above the tuft of hair on the big toe, ascends along the dorsum of the foot, and meets the Du Mai at the vertex. Its branch pours into the Lung from Qimen (LR14), traveling through the Middle Jiao. It is six chi and five cun long and connects with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Therefore, the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates from the Middle Jiao at Zhongfu (LU1).

Acupoint Song:
"The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian begins with Dadun, Xingjian, and Taichong; Zhongfeng, Ligou, and Zhongdu transmit; Xiguan, Ququan, and Yinbao are enclosed; Wuli and Yinlian reach Zhangmen; they follow each other directly to Qimen to stop."

Song of Disorders Produced by Movement and Disease:
"This meridian has abundant blood and scarce Qi. Disorders produced by movement include lower back pain with difficulty in bending and extending, hernia in men, and lower abdominal swelling in women. Dusty face, dark complexion, and dry throat are also symptoms. Diseases governed by this meridian include chest fullness, vomiting and reflux, diarrhea, difficult urination, occasional enuresis, and fox hernia. Clinical diagnosis requires careful observation."

*Lingshu* Chapter 10 states: "Disorders produced by movement involve lower back pain with inability to bend or extend, hernia in men, lower abdominal swelling in women, severe dryness of the throat, dusty face, and dark complexion. Diseases governed by the Liver include chest fullness, vomiting and reflux, undigested food diarrhea, fox hernia, enuresis, and strangury. For these diseases, tonify deficiency, sedate excess, treat heat quickly, treat cold by retention, moxa for sinking conditions, and treat via the meridian if neither excess nor deficiency. In excess, the Cun Kou pulse is larger than the Ren Ying pulse by one degree; in deficiency, the Cun Kou pulse is smaller than the Ren Ying pulse."

Phonetic Notes:
Li (蠡) ... Hang Sang (颃颡) ... Fu (俯)