(在鱼际后,当掌后上廉高骨,经渠、太渊穴之分也。一曰脉口,亦曰寸口)属手太阴
肺经(《灵枢》曰∶手太阴之脉,循臂内上骨下廉,入寸口。又曰∶手太阳之筋,循指上行,结于鱼后,行寸
口外也,
侧。又曰∶肺气从太阴而行之,其行以息往来,故人一呼脉再动,一吸脉亦再动,呼吸不已,故动而不止。又
曰∶经脉常不可见。其虚实也,以气口知之,上工知相五色于目,有知调尺寸小大、缓急滑涩,以言所病也。脉
急者,尺之皮肤亦急;脉缓者,尺之皮肤亦缓;脉小者,尺之皮肤亦减而少气;脉急者,尺之皮肤亦贲而起;
脉滑者,尺之皮肤亦滑;脉涩者,尺之皮肤亦涩。凡此变者,有微有甚,故善调尺者,不待于寸;善调脉者,
不待于色。能参合而行之者,可以为上工。《素问》曰∶中部天,手太阴也,以候脉。注∶肺脉,在掌后寸口
中,是谓经渠,动应于手。又曰∶脉气流经,经气归于肺,肺朝百脉,输精于皮毛。毛脉合精,行气于腑,腑
精神明,留于四脏,气归于权衡。权衡以平,气口成寸,以决死生。吴草庐曰∶两手寸、关、尺者,手太阴肺
经之一脉也。脉行始于肺,终于肝,而复会于肺。肺为气出入之门户,故曰气口,而为脉之大会,以占一身焉)。
又总属手足六阴经(《灵枢》曰∶脉口一盛,痛在足厥阴,一盛而躁,病在手心主;脉口二盛,病在足少阴,
二盛而躁,病在手少阴;脉口三盛,病在足太阴,三盛而躁,病在手太阴;脉口四盛,且大且数,名曰阴溢。
阴溢为内关,内关不通,死不治。又曰∶人迎与太阴脉口,俱盛四倍以上,命曰关格。关格者与之短期。又曰∶
平人不病者,脉口人迎应四时也。又曰∶持气口、人迎以视其脉,脉坚且盛且滑者,病日进;脉软者,病将下。
诸经实者,病三日已。气口候阴,人迎候阳也)。
(Located posterior to the Yuji point [L10, Great Rampart], at the prominent high bone on the upper medial aspect of the wrist postero-inferiorly, marking the boundary between Jingqu [LU8] and Taiyuan [LU9]. Also known as Maikou [Pulse Mouth] or Cunkou [Inch Port]), it belongs to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (The *Ling Shu* states: The meridian of Hand-Taiyin follows the inner aspect of the arm along the lower edge of the bone, entering the Cunkou. It also states: The sinews of Hand-Taiyang ascend along the fingers, knotting behind the fish belly, and running on the lateral side of the Cunkou. Furthermore: Lung Qi travels via the Taiyin; its movement is linked to respiration. Thus, with each exhalation, the pulse moves twice; with each inhalation, the pulse also moves twice. As respiration does not cease, the pulse movement does not stop. Additionally: Meridians are generally invisible. Their deficiency or excess can be known through the Qikou [Vital Port]. An expert physician discerns pathological signs from the five colors in the eyes and understands how to adjust the characteristics of size, magnitude, speed, and texture [slippery/rough] of the Cun and Chi positions to diagnose disease. If the pulse is tight, the skin at the Chi position is also tense; if the pulse is slow, the skin at the Chi position is also lax; if the pulse is small, the skin at the Chi position is diminished and Qi is deficient; if the pulse is tight, the skin at the Chi position is bulging; if the pulse is slippery, the skin at the Chi position is smooth; if the pulse is choppy, the skin at the Chi position is rough. All these variations range from mild to severe. Therefore, one skilled in examining the Chi need not rely solely on the Cun; one skilled in examining the pulse need not rely solely on facial complexion. One who can integrate and apply these methods may be considered an "Upper Physician" (Expert Doctor). The *Su Wen* states: The Middle Heaven corresponds to Hand-Taiyin, used for observing the pulse. The commentary notes: The Lung pulse is located within the Cunkou at the wrist crease, specifically at Jingqu [LU8], where the beat is palpable. It further states: Pulse Qi flows through the meridians, and Meridian Qi returns to the Lung. The Lung receives all vessels and distributes essence to the skin and hair. The combination of Hair and Vessel essence allows Qi to circulate through the Fu organs. The clarity of Fu organ spirit remains in the Zang organs, and Qi returns to a state of balance. When balanced, the Cunkou forms the Cun pulse, which is used to determine life and death. Wu Caolu stated: The Cun, Guan, and Chi positions on both hands constitute a single pulse line of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Pulse circulation begins in the Lung, ends in the Liver, and then reunites in the Lung. Since the Lung is the portal for Qi entry and exit, it is called Qikou, serving as the great assembly of pulses to assess the whole body). It also generally governs the six Yin meridians of the Hand and Foot (The *Ling Shu* states: If the Maikou pulse is one-fold stronger, the pathology is in the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian; if one-fold stronger and restless, the pathology is in the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. If the Maikou pulse is two-fold stronger, the pathology is in the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; if two-fold stronger and restless, the pathology is in the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. If the Maikou pulse is three-fold stronger, the pathology is in the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian; if three-fold stronger and restless, the pathology is in the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. If the Maikou pulse is four-fold stronger, large and rapid, it is named Yin Overflow. Yin Overflow leads to Internal Obstruction; if Internal Obstruction is blocked, death ensues and cannot be treated. It also states: If both the Renying [ST9] and Taichong/Maikou pulses are more than four times stronger, it is termed Guan-Ge [Gate Closure]. Patients with Guan-Ge have a short life expectancy. Furthermore: In healthy individuals, the Maikou and Renying pulses should correspond to the four seasons. It also states: By holding the Qikou and Renying to observe their pulses, if the pulse is firm, strong, and slippery, the disease progresses daily; if the pulse is soft, the disease will subside. For excess patterns in the various meridians, recovery occurs within three days. The Qikou observes Yin, while the Renying observes Yang).