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(The *Ling Shu: Jing Mai* Chapter)

The divergent collateral of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian is named **Lieque** (LI4, though technically LU7). It originates in the intermuscular space above the wrist, runs parallel with the Hand-Taiyin meridian, enters directly into the palm, and scatters into the thenar eminence (**Yuji**, LU10). (The following describes the fifteen collaterals. They are called "divergent" (*bie*) rather than just "collateral" (*lu*) because the main channel diverges here to connect with an adjacent meridian. The collateral of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian is named Lieque, located 1.5 cun distal to the wrist crease, in the lateral intermuscular space; from here, the Lung Meridian diverges to connect with the Yangming Meridian. The main channel of the Lung Meridian proceeds directly into the palm and scatters at Yuji. In some individuals, the pulse cannot be felt at the Cunkou (inch, bar, cubit) positions, but can be felt from Lieque to Yangxi, a condition commonly known as "reverse Guan pulse." This occurs when the main channel is deficient and the collateral is full, as described in the *Qianjin Yi Fang*: "when the Yang pulse reverses, it becomes three times larger than the Qi Kou.") When the disease manifests as excess, there is heat in the hand shao (radial styloid area) and palm; when it manifests as deficiency, there are yawning and stretching, along with urinary incontinence or frequency. Treatment involves selecting the point half a cun from the wrist [Note: Text corrects this to 1.5 cun], where it diverges to the Yangming meridian. (The high bone behind the palm is called the hand shao bone. Excess indicates surplus pathogenic heat, hence the heat in the hand shao and palm. Yawning and stretching refers to opening the mouth and extending the waist. Deficiency is due to insufficiency of Lung Qi, leading to yawning/stretching and frequent/incontinent urination. The *Tongsu Wen* states: "When the body is tired, one stretches; when the mind/spirit is tired, one yawns." To treat this, select Lieque; for excess, use draining methods; for deficiency, use tonifying methods. The principle applies to all subsequent meridians. "Half a cun" should be read as "one and a half cun." This illustrates how the Lung collateral diverges to the Yangming, while the Yangming collateral, named Pianli, also enters the Lung meridian, as they are exterior-interior pairs and thus mutually connect via collaterals. This applies to other meridians as well. KT sounds like "qu".)

The divergent collateral of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian is named **Tongli** (HT5). It is located 1.5 cun from the wrist, diverges and ascends, follows the meridian into the heart, connects to the root of the tongue, and belongs to the eye system. When in excess, there is a sensation of obstruction in the chest and diaphragm; when in deficiency, speech is impaired. Treatment involves selecting the point one cun behind the wrist, where it diverges to the Taiyang meridian. (The collateral of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian is Tongli, located in the depression 1 cun behind the wrist, diverging to the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. This meridian enters below the heart and through the diaphragm; thus, excess pathogenic factors cause obstruction in the diaphragm, feeling as if something is supporting it without smoothness. Its branch ascends to connect to the root of the tongue. Therefore, deficiency leads to inability to speak. One should select Tongli and apply either tonification or drainage depending on the condition.)

The divergent collateral of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian is named **Neiguan** (PC6). It is located two cun from the wrist, emerges between the two tendons, follows the meridian upward to connect to the pericardium, and links to the heart system. When in excess, there is heart pain; when in deficiency, there is stiffness of the head and neck. Treatment involves selecting the point between the two tendons. (The collateral of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian is Neiguan, located two cun distal to the wrist crease between the two tendons, diverging to the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. This meridian connects to the pericardium, links to the heart system, passes behind the ear, and converges below the Wanggu point of the Shaoyang meridian. Thus, excess causes heart pain, and deficiency causes head and neck stiffness and discomfort. All are treated by selecting Neiguan.)

The divergent collateral of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian is named **Zhizheng** (SI7). It is five cun above the wrist, internally injecting into the Shaoyin meridian; its branch ascends to the elbow and links to the Jianyu point. When in excess, joints become flaccid and the elbow becomes useless; when in deficiency, growths appear, small ones resembling scabs or scabies on the fingers. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian is Zhizheng, located five cun behind the wrist, running along the medial arm and injecting into the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. This meridian passes the elbow and links to the shoulder; thus, excess causes collateral stagnation leading to joint flaccidity and elbow dysfunction, while deficiency leads to poor blood and qi circulation, forming large growths or small finger scabs/scabies. Selecting the divergent point refers to Zhizheng. The character sounds like "you," meaning a growth or tumor.)

The divergent collateral of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is named **Pianli** (LI6). It is three cun from the wrist, diverging into the Taiyin meridian; its branch ascends along the arm, traverses the shoulder, goes up to the buccal region, and connects obliquely to the teeth; another branch enters the ear and converges with the Zong vessels. When in excess, there is tooth decay or deafness; when in deficiency, there is cold teeth and bi-syndrome with obstruction. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is Pianli, located three cun behind the wrist in the upper lateral space, diverging to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. According to the main meridian and sinew channels, there is no mention of entering the ear or eyes, only this collateral does. Zong vessels refer to vessels gathered around the eyes and ears. Chu means dental caries. This meridian ascends to the buccal region, connects to the teeth, enters the ear, links to the Lung, and descends through the diaphragm; thus, excess causes dental caries and deafness, while deficiency causes cold teeth, internal bi-syndrome, and obstruction. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Pianli. Chu is pronounced qiu-yu qie.)

The divergent collateral of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian is named **Waiguan** (TE5). It is two cun from the wrist, winding around the arm externally, injecting into the chest, and converging with the Heart Master (Pericardium). When in excess, there is elbow contraction; when in deficiency, there is inability to grasp. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian is Waiguan, located two cun behind the wrist between the two tendons, diverging to the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. This meridian winds around the arm, causing elbow contraction and inability to grasp. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Waiguan.)

The divergent collateral of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is named **Feiyang** (BL58). It is seven cun from the malleolus, diverging to the Shaoyin meridian. When in excess, there is rhinitis/nasal congestion, headache, and back pain; when in deficiency, there is rhinitis and epistaxis. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is Feiyang, located seven cun above the lateral malleolus, diverging to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. This meridian originates at the inner canthus, links to the brain, and travels over the head and back, hence these symptoms. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Feiyang. Qiu sounds like qiu, meaning nasal congestion. Zhi sounds like zhi. Nu is pronounced nu-liu qie, meaning nosebleed.)

The divergent collateral of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is named **Guangming** (GB37). It is five cun from the malleolus, diverging to the Jueyin meridian, and descending to link the foot dorsum. When in excess, there is jue (cold/heat reversal); when in deficiency, there is wei syndrome (atrophy/flaccidity), making it difficult to rise from sitting. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is Guangming, located five cun above the lateral malleolus, diverging to the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. This meridian descends to link the foot dorsum, causing jue and wei syndromes. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Guangming. The character sounds like bi, meaning inability to walk.)

The divergent collateral of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is named **Fenglong** (ST40). It is eight cun from the malleolus, diverging to the Taiyin meridian; its branch follows the lateral border of the tibia, ascends to link the head and neck, converges with the qi of various meridians, and descends to link the throat. If qi rebels, there is throat obstruction and hoarseness; when in excess, there is mania or epilepsy; when in deficiency, there is inability to hold the feet and emaciated shins. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is Fenglong, located eight cun above the lateral malleolus, diverging to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. This meridian follows the throat into the clavicular fossa. The Stomach is the sea of the five zang and six fu organs, and the throat and clavicular fossa are passages for all meridians, thus converging qi to descend and link the throat, causing such diseases. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Fenglong. Jing is pronounced xi-jing qie. Yi sounds like yi. Cui is the same as cui, meaning weakness/sickness. Yin sounds like yin. Dian is the same as dian/epilepsy.)

The divergent collateral of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is named **Gongsun** (SP4). It is one cun posterior to the root of the big toe, diverging to the Yangming meridian; its branch enters and links the intestines and stomach. If jue qi rebels upward, there is huoluan (cholera-like vomiting/diarrhea); when in excess, there is cutting pain in the intestines; when in deficiency, there is abdominal distension. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is Gongsun, located one cun posterior to the root of the big toe, diverging to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Jue qi refers to disharmonious Spleen qi, whether cold or hot, termed jue qi. Rebelling upward causes huoluan. The main meridian enters the abdomen, belongs to the Spleen, and links the Stomach, hence these diseases. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Gongsun.)

The divergent collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is named **Dazhong** (KI4). It is located behind the ankle, wrapping around the heel, diverging to the Taiyang meridian; its branch runs parallel upward to the pericardium and downward externally through the lumbar spine. If qi rebels, there is irritability and oppression; when in excess, there is stranguria/retention; when in deficiency, there is lower back pain. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is Dazhong, located between the two tendons on the bone behind the heel, diverging to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The previous twelve meridians stated the main channel exits the Lung to link the Heart; here it says it goes up to the Pericardium and down through the lumbar spine, hence these diseases. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Dazhong.)

The divergent collateral of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is named **Ligou** (LR5). It is five cun from the medial malleolus, diverging to the Shaoyang meridian; its branch follows the tibia upward to the testis, knotting at the penis. If qi rebels, there is testicular swelling and sudden hernia; when in excess, there is priapism; when in deficiency, there is sudden itching. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is Ligou, located five cun above the medial malleolus, diverging to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. The main meridian links the genitalia, ascends to the testis, and knots at the penis, hence these diseases. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Ligou. Li sounds like li. Gao sounds like gao, meaning testicle. Jing has pronuncings ying or xing, meaning penis.)

The divergent collateral of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is named **Weiyi** (Error: Should be Pingyi/Huiyin). Below Jiwei, it scatters in the abdomen. When in excess, there is pain in the abdominal skin; when in deficiency, there is itching requiring scratching. Treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (Weiyi is incorrect; the Ren Mai collateral is named Pingyi, which is the Huiyin point, located between the anus and genitals, the origin of the Ren, Du, and Chong vessels. This channel descends from Jiwei and scatters in the abdomen, hence these diseases. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Huiyin. Sao is pronounced si-gao qie, meaning to scratch.)

The divergent collateral of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) is named **Changqiang** (GV1). It flanks the spine, ascends to the nape, scatters on the head, descends below the shoulder blades to the left and right, diverges to the Taiyang meridian, and enters to penetrate the spine. When in excess, there is spinal rigidity; when in deficiency, there is heavy head and unsteady swaying. For lesions flanking the spine, treatment involves selecting the divergent point. (The collateral of the Du Mai is Changqiang, located at the end of the coccyx, diverging to the Ren Mai and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. This meridian goes to the head and nape, traverses the shoulder and back, hence these diseases. Heavy head and unsteady swaying means weakness unable to support, leading to trembling. Treatment requires selecting the divergent Changqiang. Lv sounds like lv.)

The Great Collateral of the Spleen is named **Dabao**. It emerges three cun below Yuanxia, spreading over the chest and hypochondrium. When in excess, there is pain throughout the body; when in deficiency, all joints become loose and flaccid. This vessel, like a net, encompasses the blood of all collaterals; treatment involves selecting the Great Collateral of the Spleen. (The Great Collateral of the Spleen is Dabao, located three cun below Yuanxia, spreading over the chest and hypochondrium, emerging between the ninth ribs, commanding all yin and yang collaterals, irrigating the five zang organs via the Spleen, hence these diseases. "Blood encompassing the collaterals" means this great collateral encompasses the blood of all collaterals, so treating the Spleen's Great Collateral removes the pathology. Great Collateral refers to Dabao.)

All these fifteen collaterals manifest visibly in excess conditions and sink/disappear in deficiency conditions. If not visible upon inspection, seek them above and below. Human meridians vary, and collateral divergence points differ. (There are twelve collaterals corresponding to the twelve meridians, plus the collaterals of the Ren and Du, and the Great Collateral of the Spleen, totaling fifteen. The twelve meridians of humans run deep within the muscles and are invisible; those that float and are visible are collaterals. However, only when pathogenic qi is excessive do the collaterals become full and visible (excess); when healthy qi is deficient, the collaterals sink and are invisible (deficiency). Therefore, one must seek points above and below to verify and observe. Why? Because human meridians vary in thickness, length, and shortness, and collateral divergence points differ, so one cannot rely on a single fixed method. Commentary: This chapter combines Changqiang of the Du Mai and Weiyi (actually Huiyin) of the Ren Mai to form the fifteen collaterals, likely because the Du Mai governs all Yang and the Ren Mai governs all Yin, serving as the guideline for the yin-yang of the twelve meridians. The *Nan Jing* Chapter 26 combines Yang Qiao and Yin Qiao to form fifteen collaterals, not realizing that Yang Qiao is a branch of Foot-Taiyang and Yin Qiao is a branch of Foot-Shaoyin, so they should not be listed separately. Students should take this chapter as authoritative. Another commentary: This chapter names the alias of Foot-Taiyin as Gongsun, and also mentions the Great Collateral of the Spleen named Dabao; the alias of Foot-Yangming is Fenglong, and the *Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun* mentions the Great Collateral of the Stomach named Xuli. Thus, each meridian has one collateral, but the Spleen and Stomach have two each. This is because the Spleen and Stomach are the root of the zang-fu organs, and the twelve meridians receive qi from them. Together, there are sixteen collaterals, with a diagram.)