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[Diagram of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian]

The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian starts from the head, travels down the spinal column, and then proceeds to the foot. This meridian is characterized by abundant blood and scarce qi. It originates at Jingming (BL1) and terminates at Zhiyin (BL67). There are sixty-three acupoints on each side, totaling one hundred twenty-six acupoints bilaterally. The bladder weighs nine liang and two zhu (ancient units of weight), measures nine cun in length and width, is located anterior to the kidneys and lateral to the large intestine, precisely at the position of Shuifen (CV9), which is one cun above the umbilicus. This location also marks the junction between the lower opening of the small intestine and the upper boundary of the bladder, where water fluids seep in.

The Foot-Taiyang belongs to the Bladder Meridian, starting from the eye. From Jingming (BL1), it ascends to Cuanzhu (BL2), passes through Shenting (GV24)—an intersection of the Governor Vessel and the Taiyang Meridian—and continues through Qucha (BL8), Wuchu (BL7), Chengguang (BL74), and Tongtian (BL76). It intersects on the left side at Baihui (GV20) and then reaches the apex of the right ear.

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "The vessel of Foot-Taiyang originates at the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead, and crosses at the vertex." Mr. Hua said: The inner corner of the eye is the inner canthus; the area before the hairline is the forehead; the top of the brain is the vertex (dian), which refers to the crown of the head. The Foot-Taiyang Meridian starts at Jingming (BL1) in the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead, follows Cuanzhu (BL2), passes Shenting (GV24), traverses Qucha (BL8), Wuchu (BL7), Chengguang (BL74), and Tongtian (BL76). From Tongtian (BL76), it diagonally crosses left and right to intersect at Baihui (GV20) on the crown. Both Shenting (GV24) and Baihui (GV20) are listed under the Governor Vessel and represent intersections between the Foot-Taiyang Meridian and the Governor Vessel.

Jingming (BL1): Located slightly above the inner canthus, in the depression at the outer edge of the medial canthus. It is an intersection of the Hand and Foot Taiyang, Yangming, and Shaoyang meridians. Moxibustion is contraindicated.

Cuanzhu (BL2): Located in the depression at the medial end of the eyebrow. Moxibustion is contraindicated.

Qucha (BL8): Located halfway between the lateral side of Shenting (GV24) and the medial side of Linqi (GB15), five fen inside the hairline. (See Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian for Linqi).

Wuchu (BL7): Located five fen posterior to Qucha (BL8), beside Shangxing (GV23).

Chengguang (BL74): Located two cun posterior to Qucha (BL8). Moxibustion is contraindicated.

Tongtian (BL76): Located two cun and five fen posterior to Qucha (BL8).

The right branch still exits from Baihui (GV20), enters the hairline five fen below the ear apex at ShuaiGu (GB8), connects to Fubai (GB12), and links to Qiyaon (GB11). These three points serve as intersections between the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyang meridians. From here, the meridian disperses to various other meridians. Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* says: "Its branch goes from the vertex to the supra-auricular angle." Mr. Hua stated: "The branch diverges from Baihui (GV20) on the vertex, reaches the supra-auricular angle, passing through ShuaiGu (GB8), Fubai (GB12), and Qiyaon (GB11), thereby nourishing the meridians." These are the three points: ShuaiGu (GB8), Fubai (GB12), and Qiyaon (GB11).

The meridian again proceeds from Tongtian (BL76) backwards, connecting to Luoque (BL9), moving straight to Yuzhen (BL17), and circulating around Naohu (GV16). The Foot-Taiyang Meridian runs parallel to the Governor Vessel, branches out behind the head, returns to its own meridian, descends the neck, and begins anew from Tianzhu (BL10).

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "The main trunk enters the brain from the vertex, emerges separately, and descends the nape." Mr. Hua explained: "The brain is the marrow of the head; the upper neck is the brain region, and the back of the neck is the nape. This main trunk follows Luoque (BL9) and Yuzhen (BL17) posterior to Tongtian (BL76), enters the brain, emerges, descends the nape, and reaches Tianzhu (BL10)." (Naohu (GV16) is seen in the Governor Vessel, an intersection of the Foot-Taiyang and Governor Vessels).

Luoque (BL9): Located one cun and five fen posterior to Tongtian (BL76).

Yuzhen (BL17): Located one cun and five fen posterior to Luoque (BL9); or located three cun inside the hairline at the back of the neck, one cun and three fen lateral to Naohu (GV16), on the raised muscle of the occipital bone.

Tianzhu (BL10): Located lateral to the large tendon of the neck, in the depression at the posterior hairline of the nape.

Dazhui (GV14): Intersection of the Hand and Foot Three Yang Meridians. Following Tao Dao (GV13), the two rows of Dazhu (BL11) and Fengmen (BL12) are distributed paravertebrally. Feishu (BL13), Jueyinshu (BL14) are at the fourth vertebra; Jiquan (HT1), Xinge, Gan, Dan, Pi, Wei, Sanjiao, and Shenshu (BL23) align with the umbilicus; Dachangshu (BL25), Xiaochangshu (BL32), and Pangguangshu (BL33) are at the sides of the nineteenth vertebra; Zhonglü Neishu (BL29) and Baihuanxu (BL30) enter the muscular ridge, connect with the Stomach, and exit via the Bladder.

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "It follows the interior of the shoulder blade, flanks the spine, reaches the middle of the waist, enters the muscular ridge, connects with the Kidney, and belongs to the Bladder." Mr. Hua explained: "Below the posterior shoulder is the shoulder blade; the vertebral bones are the spine; the transverse bone above the coccyx is the thigh bone. Geshu (BL17), Ganshu (BL18), Danshu (BL19), Pishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21), Sanjiaoshu (BL22), Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25), Xiaochangshu (BL32), Pangguangshu (BL33), Zhonglü Neishu (BL29), and Baihuanxu (BL30) reach the middle of the waist, enter the muscular ridge, connect with the Kidney, and descend to belong to the Bladder." (Dazhui (GV14) is seen in the Governor Vessel, an intersection of the Hand and Foot Three Yang Meridians and the Governor Vessel; Taodao (GV13) is seen in the Governor Vessel, an intersection of the Foot-Taiyang and Governor Vessels).

Dazhu (BL11): Located in the depression one cun and five fen lateral to the lower border of the first thoracic vertebra. It is an intersection with the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian and is also the Hui-Point of Bones. This is the second row of Back-Shu points paravertebrally.

Fengmen (BL12): At the lower border of the second thoracic vertebra, an intersection with the Governor Vessel, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Feishu (BL13): At the lower border of the third thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Jueyinshu (BL14): At the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Xinshu (BL15): At the lower border of the fifth thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Geshu (BL17): At the lower border of the seventh thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Ganshu (BL18): At the lower border of the ninth thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Danshu (BL19): At the lower border of the tenth thoracic vertebra; take while sitting upright, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Pishu (BL20): At the lower border of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Weishu (BL21): At the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Sanjiaoshu (BL22): At the lower border of the thirteenth thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Shenshu (BL23): At the lower border of the fourteenth thoracic vertebra, level with the umbilicus, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Dachangshu (BL25): At the lower border of the sixteenth thoracic vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Xiaochangshu (BL32): At the lower border of the eighteenth lumbar vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Pangguangshu (BL33): At the lower border of the nineteenth lumbar vertebra, one cun and five fen lateral on both sides.

Zhonglü Neishu (BL29): One cun and five fen lateral to the raised muscle flanking the spine at the twentieth lumbar vertebra.

Baihuanxu (BL30): Below the twentieth lumbar vertebra; take while prone. Moxibustion is contraindicated. From Dazhu (BL11) to Baihuanxu (BL30), reaching the waist, they are one cun and five fen away from the midline of the spine.

Its branch diverges from Baihuanxu (BL30), descends, follows the iliac crest, flanks the spine, passing through Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Xialiao (BL34), and Huiyang (BL35) beside the sacrococcygeal joint, penetrating the gluteus internally, descending to Chengfu (BL36), Yinmen (BL37), Fuxi (BL38), and Weiyang (BL39). Along the way, it is merely Weizhong (BL40).

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Its branch descends from the middle of the waist, flanks the spine, penetrates the buttocks, and enters the popliteal fossa." Mr. Hua noted: There should be the character 'bie' (branch) after 'zhi'; there is no 'xi ji' (flank spine) after 'xia zhong'. Mr. Hua said: "Buttocks refer to the sacrum/coccyx area; the sides of the waist bones are the ji; behind the ji are the buttocks; the curved part above the gastrocnemius and behind the knee is the guo (popliteal fossa). Its branch follows the iliac crest from the waist, descends flanking the spine, passing through Shangliao (BL31), Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Xialiao (BL34), Huiyang (BL35), descends through the buttocks to Chengfu (BL36), Yinmen (BL37), Fuxi (BL38), Weiyang (BL39), and enters the popliteal fossa at Weizhong (BL40)." Note: Yaokao refers to the lumbosacral bone. Human spinal vertebrae have twenty-one segments. From the sixteenth vertebra downwards is the lumbosacral bone, attached to the spine. The spaces from the seventeenth to twentieth vertebrae are empty. Huiyang (BL35) is on both sides of the coccyx, so the twenty-first vertebra appears again and ends. Also note: The Governor Vessel runs along the midline of the spine, originating at Changqiang (GV1) below the twenty-first vertebra, ascending to Yangguan (GV15) below the sixteenth vertebra. There are no acupoints from the twentieth to seventeenth vertebrae, proving they are covered by the lumbosacral bone.

Shangliao (BL31): One cun below the iliac crest in the first foramen, in the depression flanking the spine. It is a collateral intersection of the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Shaoyang meridians.

Ciliao (BL32): In the second foramen, in the depression flanking the spine.

Zhongliao (BL33): In the third foramen, in the depression flanking the spine. It is a knot of the Foot-Jueyin and Foot-Shaoyang meridians.

Xialiao (BL34): In the fourth foramen, in the depression flanking the spine. It is a knot of the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Jueyin meridians.

Huiyang (BL35): On both sides of the sacrococcygeal joint.

Chengfu (BL36): In the crease on the upper inner thigh, below the gluteal fold.

Yinmen (BL37): Six cun below the gluteal fold.

Fuxi (BL38): One cun above Weiyang (BL39); obtain by extending the knee.

Weiyang (BL39): Six cun below Chengfu (BL36); take while bending the body. It is posterior to the Foot-Taiyang Meridian, emerging between the two tendons at the lateral aspect of the popliteal fossa. Weizhong (BL40) is in the center of the popliteal fossa, at the arterial pulse in the crease. Take by lying prone, extending the abdomen, and touching the ground. It is the Blood-Sea. This branch enters from the second row paravertebrally to Baihuanxu (BL30), traverses Shangliao, Ciliao, Zhongliao, Xialiao, follows Huiyang (BL35) directly to Weizhong (BL40), and merges with the branch from Fufen (BL17) to Zhbian (BL54), collectively forming the converging branch.

From Tianzhu (BL10) and the shoulder, branches run left and right to Fufen (BL17), penetrate the muscular ridge to Pohu (BL42), Gaohuang (BL43), descend through Shen Tang (BL44), Ge Guan (BL48), Hun Men (BL47), Yang Gang (GV15), Yi She (BL46), Wei Cang (BL45), Huang Men (BL52), Zhi Shi (BL53), Bao Huang (BL54), and directly reach Zhibian (BL54).

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Its branch separates from the interior of the shoulder, descends left and right, penetrates the shen (muscle mass), flanks the interior of the spine, and passes the hip pivot." Mr. Hua explained: "Inside the muscular ridge is called shen; it is the muscle flanking the spine. Its branch consists of the acupoints in the third row, three cun apart laterally from the spine. From Tianzhu (BL10) downwards, it separates from the interior of the shoulder, descends left and right, penetrates the shen and muscular ridge, passing Fufen (BL17), Pohu (BL42), Gaohuang (BL43), Shen Tang (BL44), Ge Guan (BL48), Hun Men (BL47), Yang Gang (GV15), Yi She (BL46), Wei Cang (BL45), Huang Men (BL52), Zhi Shi (BL53), Bao Huang (BL54), Zhibian (BL54), descends through the sacrum and buttocks, and passes the hip pivot. The lateral thigh is the pi jian; below the bone is the bi."

Fufen (BL17): Below the second thoracic vertebra, attached to the medial side of the neck; take while sitting upright. It is an intersection of the Hand and Foot Taiyang Meridians and is the third row of Back-Shu points paravertebrally.

Pohu (BL42): Three cun lateral to both sides below the third thoracic vertebra; take while sitting upright.

Gaohuang (BL43): Three cun lateral to both sides below the fourth thoracic vertebra, near the upper border of the fifth. To locate: Have the patient sit upright, hunch the back, extend both arms placing hands on knees, keeping them straight. Align the thumb with the knee cap. Support the elbow with an object, preventing arm movement. The point should be about the width of a finger away from the scapula; pressing causes soreness.

Shen Tang (BL44): Three cun lateral to both sides below the fifth thoracic vertebra; take while sitting upright.

Ge Guan (BL48): Three cun lateral to both sides below the sixth thoracic vertebra; take while sitting upright.

Hun Men (BL47): Three cun lateral to both sides below the ninth thoracic vertebra, in the depression; take while sitting upright.

Yang Gang (GV15): Three cun lateral to both sides below the tenth thoracic vertebra, in the depression; take while sitting upright.

Yi She (BL46): Three cun lateral to both sides below the eleventh thoracic vertebra, in the depression; take while sitting upright.

Wei Cang (BL45): Three cun lateral to both sides below the twelfth thoracic vertebra.

Huang Men (BL52): Three cun lateral to both sides below the thirteenth thoracic vertebra, also in the intercostal depression.

Zhi Shi (BL53): Three cun lateral to both sides below the fourteenth thoracic vertebra, in the depression; take while sitting upright.

Bao Huang (BL54): Three cun lateral to both sides below the nineteenth thoracic vertebra; take while prone.

Zhibian (BL54): In the depression three cun lateral to both sides below the twentieth lumbar vertebra; take while prone. Or stated as below the twenty-first vertebra. This branch descends from Tianzhu (BL10), passes Fufen (BL17), and ends at this point. From here, it follows the main collateral directly to merge at Weizhong (BL40).

The meridian passes through the gluteus internally from Zhibian (BL54), one cun and five fen lateral to Chengshan (BL57) near the hip pivot, follows the medial thigh, meets Heyang (BL38) at Weizhong (BL40), penetrates the calf internally two cun below the popliteal crease to Chengjin (BL56), which is in the center of the gastrocnemius, descends to Chengshan (BL57) in the division of the calf muscles, Feiyang (BL58) seven cun above the lateral malleolus, Fuyang (BL59) below the ankle, Kunlun (BL60), Pucan (BL61), Shenmai (BL62), Jinmen (BL63) at the white-red flesh boundary, Jinggu (BL64), Zhuangu (BL65), Tonggu (BL66) before the base of the little toe, and exits at Zhiyin (BL67), connecting to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "It follows the posterior lateral aspect of the thigh, descends to merge in the popliteal fossa, passes down through the calf, emerges posterior to the lateral malleolus, follows Jinggu (BL64) to the lateral side of the little toe." Mr. Hua explained: "Following the gastrocnemius internally, passing Chengjin (BL56), Chengshan (BL57), Feiyang (BL58), Fuyang (BL59), emerging posterior to the lateral malleolus at Kunlun (BL60), Pucan (BL61), Shenmai (BL62), Jinmen (BL63), following Jinggu (BL64), Shugu (BL65), Tonggu (BL66), to the lateral end of the little toe at Zhiyin (BL67), to connect with the Foot-Shaoyin."

Heyang (BL38): Three cun below the popliteal crease in the center, or three cun below Weizhong (BL40).

Chengjin (BL56): In the depression in the center of the gastrocnemius.

Chengshan (BL57): In the depression between the muscle bellies of the lower calf.

Feiyang (BL58): Seven cun above the lateral malleolus; the collateral of the Taiyang, diverging to the Taiyin.

Fuyang (BL59): Two cun above the lateral malleolus, between the anterior Taiyang and posterior Shaoyang tendons and bones; origin of the Yang Qiao Mai.

Kunlun (BL60): In the depression above the heel bone posterior to the lateral malleolus.

Pucan (BL61): In the depression below the calcaneus; obtain by plantarflexing the foot.

Shenmai (BL62): In the depression below the lateral malleolus, at the white-red flesh boundary accommodating the nail; origin of the Yang Qiao Mai.

Jinmen (BL63): Below the lateral malleolus; Xi-Cleft Point of the Taiyang, belonging to the Yang Wei Mai.

Jinggu (BL64): In the depression at the red-white flesh boundary below the large bone on the lateral foot.

Shugu (BL65): In the depression posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe on the lateral side.

Tonggu (BL66): In the depression anterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe on the lateral side.

Zhiyin (BL67): On the lateral side of the little toe, one grain of rice width from the corner of the nail.

General Song:
Inner canthus crosses vertex then descends nape,
Follows shoulders, flanks spine, reaches middle waist.
From waist connects to Kidney, passes Bladder,
Thigh bone source flows to little toe connection.

Commentary: The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates at Jingming (BL1) in the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead, crosses the vertex, reaches Tianzhu (BL10), passes Dazhui (GV14), descends flanking the spine, follows the muscular ridge, connects with the Kidney, and belongs to the Bladder. Its branch descends from the waist into the popliteal fossa; its separate branch returns from Tianzhu (BL10), descends flanking the spine from the interior of the shoulder left and right, merges in the popliteal fossa, exits at the lateral end of the little toe Zhiyin (BL67), and long-connects with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Thus, the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian originates below the little toe, slanting towards Yongquan (KI1) in the sole of the foot.

Acupoint Song:
Foot-Taiyang has sixty-three points,
Jingming, Cuanzhu, Qucha participate.
Wuchu, Chengguang ascend to Tongtian,
Luoque, Yuzhen, Tianzhu stand tall.
Dazhu, Fengmen lead Feishu,
Jueyin, Xinshu, Geshu note.
Ganshu, Danshu, Pishu same,
Weishu, Sanjiao, Shenshu middle.
Dachang, Xiaochang, Pangguang Shu,
Zhonglü, Baihuan two Shu transport.
Since Dazhu to Baihuan,
Three cun from spine midline.
Shangliao, Ciliao, Zhongliao, Xialiao,
Huiyang, Chengfu, Yinmen follow.
Fuxi, Weiyang, Weizhong gap,
Shoulder interior flanks spine Fufen stands.
Taiyang travels back third row,
Pohu, Gaohuang, and Shen Tang.
Ge Guan, Hun Men side Yang Gang,
Yi She, Wei Cang, Huang Men.
Zhi Shi, Bao Huang,
Twentieth vertebra Zhibian hides.
Merge popliteal below Heyang is,
Chengjin, Chengshan next.
Feiyang, Fuyang泊 Kunlun,
Pucan, Shenmai connect Jinmen.
Jinggu, Shugu, Tonggu again,
Little toe lateral Zhiyin continues.

Is-Moved and Generated Song:
This meridian has much blood, little qi,
Is-Moved causes unbearable headache.
Neck feels like pulling, waist like breaking,
Thigh stiff pain pierces spine tip.
Popliteal like knot, calf like tearing,
This is Ankle-Jue, tendons injured.
Generated: Malaria, hemorrhoids, little toe useless,
Head vertex pain, eye color yellow.
Waist, sacrum, calf, foot pain connect back,
Tears flow, nosebleed, and inversion.

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "When Is-Moved, disease manifests as rushing headache, eyes feeling like falling out, neck feeling like pulling, spine pain, waist feeling like breaking, thighs unable to bend, popliteal like knotted, calf like tearing, this is Ankle-Jue. It governs diseases related to tendons: hemorrhoids, malaria, mania, epilepsy, head/vertex pain, yellow eyes, tearing, nosebleed, neck/back/waist/sacrum/calf/foot pain, little toe non-function. For these diseases: excess, drain it; deficiency, tonify it; heat, hasten it; cold, retain it; sinking, moxa it; neither excess nor deficiency, treat according to the meridian. Excess: Renying pulse is more than double the Cunkou pulse. Deficiency: Renying pulse is smaller than Cunkou pulse."

Phonetic Notes:
Qiao (qiào) Zhu (zhù) Lü (lǚ, sound 'lu', sides of spine) Ke (kē, ku wa fan, hip bone) Tun (tún, sound 'tun', thigh)
Guo (guó, ge mai fan, bent leg) Bo (bó, bu he fan) Yi (yī, sound gen ju, sound of pain)
Xi (xī, sound xi, sound of pain) Chuan (chuǎn, shi chong fan, sound panting) Kao (kāo, ruo gao fan)