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Diagram of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian

The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian travels from the foot to the abdomen, and from the abdomen to the chest. This meridian is abundant in Qi (Vital Energy) and deficient in Blood. It originates at Yinbai (SP1) and terminates at Dabao (SP21), totaling twenty-one acupoints on each side, or forty-two acupoints bilaterally. The spleen meridian is three cun wide and five cun long, covering Zhongwan (CV12), and attaches to the eleventh thoracic vertebra of the spine.

Explanation of the Foot-Taiyin Meridian: Yinbai (SP1), Dadu (SP2), and Taibai (SP3) lie on the same straight line; Gongson (SP4) branches off to connect with the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian; Shangqiu (SP5) is sought slightly anterior to the malleolus; Sanyinjiao (SP6) is located three cun above the medial malleolus. Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "The pulse of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen] meridian originates at the medial aspect of the big toe, at the junction of white flesh, passes posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint (nucleus bone), ascends anterior to the medial malleolus." Mr. Hua Shou stated that "nucleus bone" is also written as "nucleus bone," commonly known as the "lone crook bone." The bones protruding on both sides behind the heel are the ankle bones. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian originates at Yinbai (SP1) at the tip of the big toe, receiving the intersection of Qi and Blood from the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. From there, it follows the medial aspect of the big toe, at the junction of white flesh, passes through Dadu (SP2), traverses the nucleus bone, passes Taibai (SP3), Gongson (SP4), Shangqiu (SP5), and ascends to Sanyinjiao (SP6) anterior to the medial malleolus.

Shangqiu (SP5): Located in the depression slightly anterior to the inferior aspect of the medial malleolus.
Sanyinjiao (SP6): Located in the depression below the tibia, three cun superior to the apex of the medial malleolus.

Ascending along the course, it passes Lougu (SP7), preceding the Jueyin [Liver] meridian where Diji (SP8) is located; Yinlingquan (SP9) is located in the depression at the knee crease. Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Ascending along the medial aspect of the leg, posterior to the fibula, it emerges anterior to the Foot-Jueyin [Liver] meridian." Mr. Hua Shou stated that the "fibula" refers to the calf muscle. From Sanyinjiao (SP6), ascending along the medial aspect of the leg, posterior to the fibula, it reaches Lougu (SP7). Ascending two cun further, it emerges anterior to the Foot-Jueyin [Liver] meridian, reaching Diji (SP8) and Yinlingquan (SP9).

Lougu (SP7): Located in the depression below the tibia, six cun superior to the apex of the medial malleolus.
Diji (SP8): Located five cun inferior to the knee, on the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen] meridian.
Yinlingquan (SP9): Located in the depression inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia, below the knee. It can be accessed with the leg extended or flexed.

Ascending along the medial aspect of the knee and thigh, it passes Xuehai (SP10) and Jimen (SP11), crossing over tendons, and ascends within the inner thigh into the abdomen, reaching Chongmen (SP12) and Fushhe (SP13). It travels horizontally to Zhongji (CV3), intersecting with Guanyuan (CV4) of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), then returns along the Three Yin meridians. It again follows the intestines and abdomen, forming a knot. It belongs to the Spleen Zang organ, courses through Zhongwan (CV12) and Xiawan (CV10), returns to belong to the Spleen, and connects with the Stomach Fu organ, without doubt. This meridian originally begins at Fu'ai (SP16), branches from the abdomen, and ascends along the diaphragm.

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Ascending along the medial anterior aspect of the knee and thigh, it enters the abdomen, belongs to the Spleen, and connects with the Stomach." Mr. Hua Shou stated that the inner thigh is called the "thigh," and the area above and below the navel is called the "abdomen." From Yinlingquan (SP9), ascending along the medial anterior aspect of the knee and thigh, passing Xuehai (SP10) and Jimen (SP11), it winds into the abdomen, passing Chongmen (SP12) and Fushhe (SP13), meeting Zhongji (CV3) and Guanyuan (CV4). It then follows Fujie (SP14) and Daheng (SP15), meeting Xiawan (CV10), passes Fu'ai (SP16), crosses the boundaries of Riyue (GB24) and Qimen (LR14), follows the interior of this meridian, descends to the level between Zhongwan (CV12) and Xiawan (CV10), thereby belonging to the Spleen and connecting with the Stomach. (Note: Zhongji (CV3) and Guanyuan (CV4) are found in the Ren Mai, both being intersections of the Foot-Sanyin [Spleen, Liver, Kidney] meridians and the Ren Mai; Xiawan (CV10) is found in the Ren Mai, an intersection of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen] and Ren Mai meridians; Riyue (GB24) is found in the Foot-Shaoyang [Gallbladder] meridian, an intersection of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen], Foot-Shaoyang [Gallbladder], and Yangwei Mai meridians; Qimen (LR14) is found in the Foot-Jueyin [Liver] meridian, an intersection of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen], Foot-Jueyin [Liver], and Yinwei Mai meridians.)

Xuehai (SP10): Located two cun superior to the superomedial border of the patella, in the middle of the junction of white flesh.
Jimen (SP11): Located above the fish belly, between the crossed tendons, in the center of the arterial pulsation within the inner thigh.
Chongmen (SP12): Five cun lateral to Daheng (SP15), located inferior to Fushhe (SP13), at the end of the pubic bone, approximately at the arterial pulsation; it is an intersection with the Foot-Jueyin [Liver] meridian.
Fushhe (SP13): Located three cun inferior to Fujie (SP14); it is an intersection of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen], Foot-Jueyin [Liver], and Yinwei Mai meridians.
Fujie (SP14): Located one cun and three fen inferior to Daheng (SP15).
Daheng (SP15): Located three cun and five fen inferior to Fu'ai (SP16), directly lateral to the umbilicus.
Fu'ai (SP16): Located one cun and five fen inferior to Riyue (GB24). From Chongmen (SP12) to Fu'ai (SP16), each point is four cun and five fen lateral to the midline of the abdomen. (Riyue (GB24) is found in the Foot-Shaoyang [Gallbladder] meridian.)

Diagonally upward to this meridian's Shidou (SP17); the arm can be raised to locate it. Tianxi (SP18) connects above it; it can be located by measuring cun while supine. Xiongxiang (SP19) is higher still, passing Zhourong (SP20), turning downward to the hypochondriac region's Dabao (SP21), spreading between the ninth intercostal space of the hypochondrium. The Zhongfu (LU1) of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian runs diagonally finally reaching the position of Yingchang (ST9), flanking the throat, connecting to the tongue, and scattering under the tongue; what difficulty is there?

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Ascending through the diaphragm, flanking the pharynx, connecting to the root of the tongue, and scattering under the tongue." Mr. Hua Shou stated that the pharynx is the organ for swallowing food, located anterior to the larynx, leading to the stomach, one chi six cun long, called the gastric system. The root of the tongue is the base of the tongue. From Fu'ai (SP16), ascending through the diaphragm, it follows Shidou (SP17), Tianxi (SP18), Xiongxiang (SP19), and Zhourong (SP20). From Zhourong (SP20), curving outward and downward to Dabao (SP21), and again from Dabao (SP21) outward, curving upward, passing Zhongfu (LU1), ascending to the interior of Yingchang (ST9), flanking the pharynx, connecting to the root of the tongue, scattering under the tongue, and connecting therewith. (Note: Zhongfu (LU1) is found in the Hand-Taiyin [Lung] meridian, an intersection of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen] meridian; Yingchang (ST9) is found in the Foot-Yangming [Stomach] meridian.)

Shidou (SP17): Located one cun and six fen inferior to Tianxi (SP18); locate with the arm raised.
Tianxi (SP18): Located one cun and six fen inferior to Xiongxiang (SP19); locate while supine.
Xiongxiang (SP19): Located one cun and six fen inferior to Zhourong (SP20), in the depression; locate while supine.
Zhourong (SP20): Located one cun and six fen inferior to Zhongfu (LU1), in the depression; locate while supine. (Zhongfu (LU1) is found in the Hand-Taiyin [Lung] meridian.)
Dabao (SP21): Located three cun inferior to Yuanye (GB22). (Yuanye (GB22) is found in the Foot-Shaoyang [Gallbladder] meridian.)

A branch diverges again from Fu'ai (SP16), passing again laterally to the Stomach Meridian's Zhongwan (CV12), ascending to inject into the interior of Danzhong (CV17), ultimately connecting with the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian of both hands.

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Its branch separates from the stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and injects into the heart." Mr. Hua Shou stated that this branch diverges from Fu'ai (SP16), again from the exterior of the Stomach Meridian's Zhongwan (CV12), ascends through the diaphragm, injects into the interior of Danzhong (CV17) in the region of the heart, to intersect with the Hand-Shaoyin [Heart] meridian. (Note: Zhongwan (CV12) and Danzhong (CV17) are both found in the Ren Mai.)

General Song:
At the medial side of the finger tip,
Through the ankle, thigh, and tibia, the Qi and Blood vessels flow smoothly.
Entering the abdomen, it belongs to the Spleen and connects with the Stomach,
Flanking the pharynx, connecting to the tongue, and injecting into the chest.

Commentary: The pulse of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian originates at the medial side of the big toe and terminates flanking the pharynx, scattering under the tongue. Its branch diverges from Fu'ai (SP16), traverses the Stomach Meridian, injects into the interior of Danzhong (CV17) in the region of the heart, and intersects with the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Therefore, the pulse of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates in the heart, ascends to the lung, and transversely emerges from the axilla at Ji Quan (HT1).

Acupoint Song:
The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian runs obliquely;
Yinbai, Dadu, and Taibai come first.
Gongsun, Shangqiu, Sanyinjiao,
Lougu, Diji, and Yinlingquan.
Xuehai, Jimen, and Chongmen are near;
Fushhe, Fujie, and Daheng connect.
Fu'ai, Shidou, and Tianxi follow;
Xiongxiang, Zhourong, and Dabao complete the set.

Song of Disorders Caused by Movement and Diseases Generated:
This meridian has abundant Qi and deficient Blood; disorders caused by movement are due to Qi.
Food is vomited immediately upon ingestion, accompanied by epigastric pain and body pain difficult to move.
Abdominal distension, frequent belching, and stiffness of the tongue root occur; relief is felt after defecation or passing gas, resembling decline.
However, diseases generated by decline include tongue pain, heavy body, loss of appetite similarly.
Vexation, heat in the heart, and urgent pain in the epigastrium; watery diarrhea, loose stools, masses, and cold malaria follow.
Inability to lie down, swelling of the thigh and knee when standing forcibly, abscesses develop on the body...

Chapter 10 of *Ling Shu* states: "Disorders caused by movement manifest as stiffness of the tongue root, vomiting after eating, epigastric pain, abdominal distension, frequent belching, feeling relieved after defecation or passing gas, and heaviness of the whole body. Diseases generated by the Spleen include pain at the root of the tongue, inability to move the body, difficulty in eating, vexation, urgent pain in the epigastrium, loose stools or masses, watery diarrhea, jaundice, inability to lie down, swelling of the inner thigh and knee when standing forcibly, and inability to use the big toe. For these various conditions, excess is drained, deficiency is tonified, heat is treated with rapid needling, cold is treated with retained needling, sinking is treated with moxibustion, and neither excess nor deficiency is treated by taking from the meridian itself. In excess conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is three times larger than the Ying Chang pulse; in deficiency conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is smaller than the Ying Chang pulse." (Note: Mr. Hua Shou indicates that "cold malaria" appears after "urgent pain in the epigastria".)

Phonetic Glossary:
Ankle (Hu Wa fan) Seek (Mi sound) Ao Guess Zan Rib (Le sound) Crook Fibula