脐 人之初生胞蒂之处也脐上五寸上脘穴分即上焦脐上四寸为中脘即中焦肺脉起中焦在
此脐
上二寸为下脘即胃下口属下焦是为幽门传入小肠旧说分三部正分此上中下三脘今乃曰中脘痛
属脾当脐痛属肾小腹痛属肝肝脾是矣当脐何以属肾心脾筋结脐胃筋脉挟脐当脐明属脾胃若肾
之筋脉从腰贯脊并不及脐脐痛治肾舛谬误人
肾 经云肾者作强之官伎巧出焉又云肾附于脊之十四椎下是经常少血多气其合骨也其荣
发也
开窍于二阴难经曰肾有两枚重一斤二两主藏精与志中藏经曰肾者精神之舍性命之根张介宾云
肾有两枚形如豇豆相并而曲附于脊之两旁相去各一寸五分外有黄脂包里各有带二条上条系于
心下条趋脊下大骨在脊骨之端如半手许中有二穴是肾带经过处上行脊髓至脑中连于髓海
命门 人身之中有命门附脊骨对脐其右旁一小窍乃三焦之气所自出即先天无形之火曰肾
间动
气左旁一小窍乃真阴水气所自出亦无形随相火而潜行周身以荣四末命门居中各开一寸五分分
Umbilicus (Navel): It is the place where the placenta and umbilical cord were connected at birth. Five cun above the umbilicus is the Shangwan (CV13) acupoint; this area belongs to the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). Four cun above the umbilicus is the Zhongwan (CV12); this area belongs to the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner). The Lung Meridian originates from the Middle Jiao, specifically at this location. Two cun above the umbilicus is the Xiawan (CV10), which is the lower opening of the Stomach, belonging to the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner); this is called the Yangmen (Pylorus), through which food enters the Small Intestine. Ancient theories divided the human body into three parts, precisely delineating these Upper, Middle, and Lower Wan regions. Some modern opinions state that pain in the Zhongwan belongs to the Spleen, pain at the umbilicus belongs to the Kidney, and pain in the lower abdomen belongs to the Liver. While attributing the Liver and Spleen may be acceptable, why should pain at the umbilicus be attributed to the Kidney? The sinews of the Heart knot at the umbilicus, and the meridians of the Stomach flank the umbilicus; thus, the area around the umbilicus clearly belongs to the Stomach and Spleen. If the sinews of the Kidney run from the waist through the spine and do not reach the umbilicus, then treating umbilical pain by targeting the Kidney is erroneous and misleading.
Kidney: The *Neijing* states: "The Kidney is the official of strength and vigor, from whom skills and dexterity emerge." It also states: "The Kidney is attached below the fourteenth vertebra of the spine." The Kidney Meridian is typically characterized by less blood and more Qi. The Kidney governs the bones, its luster manifests in the hair, and it opens into the two orifices of the lower body (anterior and posterior). The *Nanjing* states: "There are two Kidneys, weighing one jin and two liang, whose primary function is to store Jing (Essence) and Zhi (Willpower)." The *Zhongzangjing* states: "The Kidney is the residence of spirit and mind, the root of life and nature." Zhang Jiebin stated: "There are two Kidneys, shaped like kidney beans, lying side by side and curved, attached to both sides of the spine, each at a distance of 1.5 cun. Externally wrapped in yellow fat, each has two ligaments; the upper ligament ties to below the heart, and the lower ligament trends toward the large bone below the spine. At the end of the spinal column, approximately half a hand's length from the end of the vertebral column, there are two acupoints where the Kidney ligaments pass. These ascend along the spinal cord to the brain, connecting to the Sea of Marrow."
Mingmen (Gate of Life): Within the human body, there is the Mingmen, attached to the spine and directly opposite the umbilicus. The small aperture on its right side is the source of Qi of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), which is the innate formless Fire, also known as the "Vital Qi between the Kidneys." The small aperture on its left side is the source of True Yin Water Qi, which is also formless and travels invisibly throughout the body following the Ministerial Fire, to nourish the four extremities. The Mingmen is centered, with apertures opening 1.5 cun to the left and right respectively.