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Between the left and right kidneys, a point of True Yang serves as the root of life. Within it, Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) acts on behalf of the Heart Sovereign, hence it is also called the "Lesser Heart" (Xiao Xin).

Small Intestine: The *Ling Shu* states, "The Small Intestine is the official of reception and transformation, responsible for separating the clear from the turbid." It further states, "The Small Intestine attaches posteriorly to the front of the spine and anteriorly above the umbilicus, looping leftward with sixteen curves. Its outer diameter is two cun and half, inner diameter eight fen plus one-third fen, and length three zhang and two chi. It can hold two dou and four sheng of grain, and six sheng and three he (plus half-he) of water." It also states, "The upper opening of the Small Intestine is two cun above the umbilicus, near the spine, where water and grain enter. One cun lower, externally attached to the umbilicus, is the Shuifen (Water Divider) acupoint. Here, at the lower opening of the Small Intestine, clarity and turbidity are separated; watery fluids seep into the Bladder, while dregs flow into the Large Intestine." It is stated that this meridian has abundant blood but scarce qi. The *Nan Jing* says, "The Small Intestine weighs three jin and fourteen liang."

Large Intestine: The *Ling Shu* states, "The Large Intestine is the official of transmission and passage, responsible for change and transport." It further states, "The Hui Chang (Looping Intestine) is located beside the umbilicus, looping leftward sixteen times. Its outer diameter is four cun, inner diameter one cun and half, and length two zhang and one chi. It can hold one dou of grain and seven sheng and half of water." It also states, "The Guang Chang (Broad Intestine) attaches to the spine to receive the Hui Chang; this is the pathway for expelling dregs. Its outer diameter is eight cun, inner diameter two cun and half, and length two chi and eight cun. It can hold nine sheng, three he, and one-eighth he of grain." This meridian has abundant qi but scarce blood. The *Nan Jing* says, "The Large Intestine weighs two jin and twelve liang, and the anus weighs twelve liang." Zhang Jiebin notes: "Regarding the Hui Chang, it is named so due to its looping folds; the Guang Chang is the larger portion of the Hui Chang; the Zhi Chang (Straight Intestine) is the terminal segment of the Guang Chang, connecting downward to the anus."

Bladder: The *Ling Shu* states, "The Bladder is the official of the provincial capital, storing fluids; only through Qi transformation can they be excreted." It further states, "The Bladder is located below the nineteenth vertebra, beneath the Kidneys and anterior to the Large Intestine. It has a lower opening but no upper opening. At the Shuifen acupoint, one cun above the umbilicus, which is the lower opening of the Small Intestine, lies the upper boundary of the Bladder. Fluids separate here, following the Qi transformation of the intestines to seep in. If incoming Qi fails to transform, water returns to the Large Intestine causing diarrhea; if outgoing Qi fails to transform, the lower orifices become blocked leading to strangury and swelling." This meridian has abundant blood but scarce qi. The *Nan Jing* says, "The Bladder weighs nine liang and two zhu, is nine cun long and wide, holds nine sheng and nine he of urine, and its opening is two cun and half wide."

Zong Jin (Tendon Sheath): The Liver tendon meridians knot at the Yin Qi (genital organ), connecting all tendons; Spleen and Stomach tendons gather at the Yin Qi; Kidney tendons knot at the Yin Qi. The urinary aperture is the anterior yin, the starting point of the Du Meridian.

Mao Ji (Hair Region): The area of clustered hair above the Zong Jin, below the lower abdomen, and between the transverse bone. The Ren Meridian ascends from Huiyin to the Mao Ji; the Chong Meridian originates at Qichong (which belongs to the Yangming Meridian), located on both sides of the Mao Ji. When Yangming Qi and Blood are abundant, hair is beautiful and long; when scarce, there is no hair. Liver tendons enter the Mao Ji, and Gallbladder meridians surround the Mao Ji.

Testicles: The external kidneys of men, located within the scrotum below the Zong Jin, consisting of two oval bodies.

Cuan (Perineal Depression): The concave area formed by the convergence of the fronts of the two thighs below the transverse bone. Located between the anterior and posterior yins, it is named Xiaji (Lower Pole), also known as Pingyi or Huiyin, the gathering place of Yin Qi for both men and women.

Hou Nao Gu (Posterior Head Bone): Commonly called Naoshao.

Zhen Gu (Occipital Bone): The raised bone below the posterior head bone. Its shape varies, being prismatic, flat, long, or round.

Wan Gu (Complete Bone): The prismatic bone behind the ear, named Wan Gu, located at the prismatic bones on both sides below the occipital bone.

Jing Xiang (Neck and Nape): The anterior part of the neck is called Jing, the side is called Jing, and the posterior part is called Xiang. Commonly referred to as Boxiang. In the anterior neck, the Quepen acupoint belongs to the Stomach Meridian, located above the transverse bone, one on each side, serving as the pathway for the twelve meridians. The meridians of the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Stomach, Gallbladder, and Sanjiao enter the Quepen; the tendons of the Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder, and Bladder knot at the Quepen. Within the Quepen lies the Tiantu acupoint of the Ren Meridian, the first row of meridians centered in the anterior neck. Above the Quepen is the Yingtang acupoint, one cun and five fen open in the throat, belonging to the Stomach Meridian, the second row of meridians in the anterior neck. One cun and five fen posterior to Yingtang is the Futu acupoint, belonging to the Large Intestine Meridian, the third row of meridians in the neck. Posterior to Futu is the Tianchuang acupoint, belonging to the Small Intestine Meridian, the fourth row of meridians in the neck. Posterior to Tianchuang is the Gallbladder Meridian; there are no acupoints in the neck center, constituting the fifth row of meridians. Posterior to the Foot Shaoyang is the Tianyou acupoint, belonging to the Sanjiao Meridian, the sixth row of meridians in the neck. Posterior to Tianyou is the Tianzhu acupoint, belonging to the Bladder Meridian, the seventh row of meridians in the neck. The center of the neck is the Du Meridian, with the Fengfu acupoint; from the anterior central row to here constitutes the eighth row.

Jing Gu (Neck Bone): The stem bone of the head, the bone at the upper margin of the shoulder bone, commonly called Tianzhu Gu.

Xiang Gu (Nape Bone): The third circular bone above the stem bone at the back of the head.

Bei (Back): A general term for the posterior body from below Dazhui to above the waist.

Ji Gu (Spinal Bone): Also called Jilu bone, commonly called Jiliang Gu. The Du Meridian governs the spine; the Large Intestine Meridian flanks the spine; the Heart Meridian connects with fine vessels inside the spine; Spleen tendons attach to the spine; Kidney tendons penetrate the spine; Bladder tendons flank the spine, dividing left and right, ascending to the nape. Starting from one cun and five fen lateral to the spine is the second row: opposite the third vertebra is Feishu; opposite the fifth is Xinshu; opposite the seventh is Geshu; opposite the ninth is Ganshu; opposite the tenth is Danshu; opposite the eleventh is Pishu; opposite the twelfth is Weishu; opposite the thirteenth is Sanjiaoshu; opposite the fourteenth is Shenshu; opposite the sixteenth is Dachangshu; opposite the eighteenth is Xiaochangshu; opposite the nineteenth is Pangguangshu. Starting from three cun lateral to the spine is the third row: Pomen corresponds to Feishu, thus the Lung stores Po; Shentang corresponds to Xinshu, thus the Heart stores Shen; Hunmen corresponds to Ganshu, thus the Liver stores Hun; Yishe corresponds to Pishu, thus the Spleen stores Yi; Zhishe corresponds to Shenshu, thus the Kidney stores Zhi; Gaohuang corresponds to the fourth vertebra.

Lu (Paraspinal Muscle): The muscle on both sides of the spinal bone. The Bladder and Kidney meridians circulate along the Lu.

Ye (Axilla): The margin below the shoulder and above the hypochondrium, commonly called armpit. Lung tendons enter the axilla; Heart and Small Intestine tendons knot in the axilla; Gallbladder tendons traverse the axilla; Pericardium meridians reach the axilla.

Xie Lei (Hypochondrium and Ribs): Xie is the general term for the area from below the organs to the end of the ribs. Lei refers to a single rib within the xie. Collectively called Xie Lei, also associated with Liver and Gallbladder. Liver and Gallbladder meridians distribute in the xie; Bao Luo (Uterus/Pericardium) tendons flank the xie; Spleen tendons knot at the ribs; Liver meridians distribute at the ribs.

Ji Xie (Costal Margin): The small ribs below the hypochondrium, commonly called soft ribs. Lung meridians reach the ji xie; Gallbladder tendons traverse the ji xie. The empty, soft area below the ribs without ribs is traversed by the Gallbladder Meridian.

Yao Gu (Waist Bone): The bone between the fifteenth and sixteenth vertebrae below the fourteenth vertebra of the spine, above the sacrum. It is concave in the middle, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, approximately two to three cun square. There are four holes on each side, connecting downward to the upper margin of the sacrum. Kidney meridians enter the waist; Bladder meridians reach the waist.

Shen (Loins): The flesh below the waist and above the malleoli on both sides.

Tun (Buttocks): The large flesh below the shen and beside the sacrum. The Bladder Meridian penetrates the buttocks, and tendons knot there.

Kao (Sacrum/Coccyx): The five vertebral segments from the seventeenth to the twenty-first vertebra below the waist bone. On the sides of the patterns of the upper four segments, there are four holes on each side. The bone shape is concave like a tile, about four to five cun long, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, with the terminal segment smaller like the shoot of ginseng. It is named Weilu, also Duan, Jue Gu, or Qiong Gu, located posterior to the anus. The upper outer sides of this bone are horse-hoof shaped, attaching to the upper ends of the two malleoli, commonly called the sacrum. Gallbladder tendons knot at the kao.

Gang (Anus): The lower opening of the Large Intestine. The anus connects to the rectum, which connects to the Large Intestine. The Large Intestine and Lung are exterior-interior pairs; sufficient Lung Qi enables transportation.

Xia Heng Gu, Ke Gu, Jian Gu: The Xia Heng Gu (Transverse Bone) is below the lower abdomen, shaped like a lid, hence named Gaigu (Cover Bone). From its two large holes on the left and right, bones branch upward and backward; their heads resemble an open fan. About one cun down, attaching to the horse-hoof shaped part of the sacrum, is named Ke Gu. Branching downward and forward from the two lower divisions are bones ending like pillars within the buttocks, named Jian Gu. Together with the sacrum, they form a tripod posture, serving as the main bone for sitting. In women, commonly called Jiaogu. The surface of this bone is named Kua; the acetabulum beside Kua is named Ji, also Bisu. It connects externally to the femur, corresponding to the Huantiao acupoint. This location has five names.

Gu (Thigh): A general term for the two major supports of the lower body, commonly called thigh. The junction between the middle and upper/lower segments of the lower leg is named Xi (Knee). The bone above the knee is named Bigu, the major bone of the thigh. The bone below the knee is named Jinggu, the major bone of the shin. Thigh flesh belongs to the Spleen, tendons to the Liver, and bones to the Kidney.

Yin Gu (Medial Thigh): The medial side of the thigh is called Yin Gu. The tendons of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney all circulate along the Yin Gu.

Bigu (Femur): The large bone above the knee. The upper end is pestle-shaped, connecting to Bisu; the lower end is hammer-shaped, connecting to the tibia.

Jinggu (Tibia/Fibula): Commonly called tibial bone. This bone consists of two parts: the anterior ones are named Chenggu, also Jubone, thick in shape, protruding laterally at the knee. The posterior ones are named Fugu, thin in shape, the small bone medially at the knee.

Futu (Rabbit Lying Down): The fleshy prominence anterior to the femur and above the knee, resembling a lying rabbit, hence the name.

Xi Jie (Knee Joint): The articulation of the knee. The knee belongs to the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. Idleness leads to flaccidity and weakness; exertion leads to pain like needle pricking. A pulse that is洪数 (surging and rapid) indicates deficiency of Liver and Kidney Yin with hyperactive fire. Flaccidity and weakness represent the true disease form; pain like a cone represents the image of evil fire.

Bin Gu (Patella): The covering bone above the knee.

Lian Hai (Connecting Malleolus): The two high bones on the lateral side of the knee. The flexed area behind the knee is commonly called the popliteal fossa.

Xia Tui Du (Calf): Also named Feichang, commonly called calf belly, belonging to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian.

Huai Gu (Malleolus): Below the tibia and above the foot attachment, the prominent high bones on both sides. The lateral one is the lateral malleolus; the medial one is the medial malleolus.

Zu (Foot): The part of the lower body used for walking, commonly called foot.

Fu Gu (Dorsal Bones): The dorsum of the foot, also named Zufu, commonly called instep. Fu gu refers to the numerous bones of the proximal phalanges of the toes.

Zu Xin (Sole of Foot): The center of the heel.

Gen Gu (Calcaneus): The bone of the heel.

San Mao (Three Hairs): Behind the nail of the big toe are the Three Hairs; the transverse crease behind the hairs is Ju Mao.

Zhong (Heel): The part of the sole touching the ground, commonly called the sole of the foot.

Zu Zhi (Toes): Zhi refers to the fingers of the foot. There are five, named Zhi to distinguish them from hands. The rounded, prominent bone on the medial side behind the proximal joint of the big toe is named Hegu. The lateral side of the big toe belongs to the Liver; the medial side belongs to the Spleen. Spleen tendons originate from the Yinbai acupoint on the big toe, the Jing-Sea point of the Spleen; they flow into the Dadu acupoint in the depression behind the joint, the Ying-Spring point of the Spleen; at the Taibai acupoint below the medial Hegu, the Shu-Stream point of the Spleen; at the Gongson acupoint one cun behind the proximal joint of the big toe, the Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen; passing through the Shangqiu acupoint in the depression three fen anterior to the medial malleolus, the Jing-River point of the Spleen; circling behind the metatarsal bone, knotting in the depression below the medial accessory bone of the knee at Yinlingquan, the He-Sea point of the Spleen. From here, ascending straight to the Yin Gu, knotting near the Jimen acupoint, below the buttock.

Liver tendons originate from the cluster of hairs on the lateral side of the big toe at the Dadun acupoint, the Jing-Sea point of the Liver; flowing into the Xingjian acupoint in the gap between the big and second toes, the Ying-Spring point of the Liver; noting the Taichong acupoint in the arterial pulse two cun behind the proximal joint on the dorsum, the Shu-Stream point of the Liver; knotting at the Zhongfeng acupoint one cun anterior to the medial malleolus, the Jing-River point of the Liver; circulating up five cun from the ankle at the Ligou acupoint, the Luo-Connecting point of the Liver; straight up to the Ququan acupoint at the end of the transverse crease below the medial accessory bone, the He-Sea point of the Liver; ascending the Yin Gu to the Wuli and Yinlian acupoints.

(Old Theory) The middle toe of the foot belongs to the Stomach. Stomach tendons originate from the medial side of the middle toe at the Lidui acupoint, the Jing-Sea point of the Stomach; flowing into the Neiting acupoint in the depression on the lateral side of the second toe, the Ying-Spring point of the Stomach; two cun posteriorly at the Xiegu acupoint, the Shu-Stream point of the Stomach; crossing the dorsum, five cun distal to Neiting at the Chongyang acupoint, the Yuan-Source point of the Stomach. Thus, stomach diseases cause swelling and pain in the dorsum of the foot and dysfunction of the middle toe. Ascending straight from the dorsum along the shin, passing the Jiexi acupoint at the ankle crease where sandals tie, the Jing-River point of the Stomach; again passing the Fenglong acupoint eight cun above the lateral malleolus, the Luo-Connecting point of the Stomach; knotting at the Zusanli acupoint three cun below the knee, the He-Sea point of the Stomach; ascending the knee, circulating the Futu, knotting at the Bi. The fleshy prominence anterior to the hip and above the knee is Futu; posteriorly is Biguan. The meridian descends straight from Futu to the dorsum of the foot, entering the space between the middle toe. Its branch diverges from the dorsum, enters the big toe, and emerges at its tip. Note: The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian belongs to the second toe (index toe), not the middle toe; this must be a transcription error. The Stomach Meridian originates at the intersection of the nose, descending to Xiegu. Xiegu is in the depression behind the proximal joint between the big and second toes; Neiting is in the depression on the lateral side between the big and second toes; Lidui is at the tip of the big and second toes, three grains of rice width from the nail. These three acupoints clearly belong to the second toe, not the middle toe. This confirms the error of the character 'Zhong' (middle). Then what does the middle toe belong to? The *Ling Shu* states: "The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian... divides three cun below the knee, descending to enter the lateral space of the middle toe." This branch diverges three cun below the knee, circulating outside the Zusanli acupoint, descending to enter the lateral space of the middle toe, merging with the previous Neiting and Lidui. Thus, the middle toe also belongs to the Stomach.

The fourth toe belongs to the Gallbladder. Gallbladder tendons originate from the lateral end of the fourth toe at the Xiaolin acupoint, the Jing-Sea point of the Gallbladder; between the interphalangeal bones is the Xiaxi acupoint, the Ying-Spring point of the Gallbladder; one cun and half above Xiaxi is the Linqi acupoint, the Shu-Stream point of the Gallbladder; four cun and five fen above Xiaxi is the Qiuxu acupoint, the Yuan-Source point of the Gallbladder; four cun above the lateral malleolus is the Yangfu acupoint, the Jing-River point of the Gallbladder; five cun above the lateral malleolus is the Guangming acupoint, the Luo-Connecting point of the Gallbladder. Circulating along the tibia to the lateral aspect of the knee, one cun below the knee is the Yanglingquan acupoint, the He-Sea point of the Gallbladder. From here ascending to the thigh, dividing into two branches: the anterior branch knots at Futu; the posterior branch knots at the Kao. The straight branch ascends to the Ji Xie. The meridian descends straight from Bi Yang, exiting the lateral aspect of the knee, circulating along the tibia to the lateral malleolus, reaching the dorsum of the foot, entering the space between the fourth toes. Its branch diverges from the dorsum, enters the big toe, passes behind the nail through the Three Hairs. Therefore, when Qi and Blood of the Foot Shaoyang are abundant, leg hair is long and the lateral malleolus is plump; when scarce, there is no leg hair and the lateral malleolus is thin. Disease causes pain in the knee, tibia, lateral malleolus, and various joints.

The little toe belongs to the Kidney on the plantar side and to the Bladder on the lateral side. Kidney tendons originate below the little toe, slanting toward the center of the foot at the Yongquan acupoint, the Jing-Sea point of the Kidney; again slanting medially, one cun inside the large bone below the Ran Gu acupoint, the Ying-Spring point of the Kidney; knotting at the Gen Zhong (heel prominence), where the depression contains the Taixi acupoint, the Shu-Stream point of the Kidney. Diverging from the heel to the posterior aspect of the heel, between the two tendons above the large bone of the calcaneus, is the Dazhong acupoint, the Luo-Connecting point of the Kidney; two cun above the ankle is the Fuliu acupoint, the Jing-River point of the Kidney; ascending out the medial margin, knotting below the medial accessory bone at the Yin Gu acupoint, the He-Sea point of the Kidney. From here joining the Great Yin tendons, ascending along the Yin Gu. Bladder tendons originate from the lateral side of the little toe, one fen from the nail at the Zhiyin acupoint, the Jing-Sea point of the Bladder; passing through the depression anterior to the proximal joint at the Tonggu acupoint, the Ying-Spring point of the Bladder; through the depression posterior to the proximal joint at the Shugu acupoint, the Shu-Stream point of the Bladder; below the large bone on the lateral side at the Jinggu acupoint, the Yuan-Source point of the Bladder; behind the lateral malleolus on the heel at the Kunlun acupoint, the Jing-River point of the Bladder; circulating straight up the heel to seven cun above the lateral malleolus at the Feiyang acupoint, the Luo-Connecting point of the Bladder; penetrating and knotting at the Wei Zhong (Popliteal Crease), the He-Sea point of the Bladder. Ascending straight from Wei Zhong, knotting at the buttocks. The meridian descends from the waist to the popliteal fossa, exiting the lateral side of the little toe. Therefore, Bladder disease presents as feeling tied or torn, with inability to lift the little toe.