统属足太阴脾经（《素问》曰∶脾
者，仓廪之官，营之居也，其华在唇。《灵枢》曰∶脾者，主为使之迎粮，视唇舌好恶以知吉凶。故唇上下好
者，脾端正，唇偏举者脾偏倾。揭唇者脾高。唇下纵者脾下。唇坚者脾坚，唇大而不坚者脾脆。脾病者，唇黄。
脾绝者，唇四肿。《医说》曰∶口唇焦枯者，脾热也；赤肿者，热甚也；青黑者，冷极也）。又属足阳明胃经
（《灵枢》曰∶阳明气至则啮唇。又曰∶足阳明所生病者，口 唇胗。注∶所生病者，血也。详见后编《营卫
篇》。《中藏》曰∶胃中热，则唇黑。唇色紫者，胃气虚寒也。沈承之曰∶上唇挟口，属手阳明大肠经，下唇
挟口，属足阳明胃经）。兼属手少阴心经、太阴肺经（《玄珠》曰∶上下唇皆赤者，心热也；上唇赤者，心热
也；上唇赤、下唇白者，肾虚而心火不降也。钱仲阳曰∶肺主唇白，白而泽者生，白如枯骨者死。凡唇白当补
肺。盖脾者，肺之母也，子母皆虚，不能相营，其名曰怯，故当补。若深红色者，则当散肺之虚热也）。又属
冲任二脉（《灵枢》曰∶冲任二脉，皆起于胞中，上循背里，为经络之海。其浮而外者，循腹右上行，会于咽
喉，别而络唇口。气血盛，则充肤热肉；血独盛，则淡渗皮肤，生毫毛。今妇人之生，有余于气，不足于血，
以其数脱血也。冲任之脉，不营唇口，故须不生焉。愚按此，则男子无须，亦由血不营于冲任也）。
It is collectively governed by the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian (The *Suwen* states: The Spleen is the official in charge of granaries, the residence of Ying-Qi [Nutritive Qi], and its luster manifests on the lips. The *Ling shu* states: The Spleen acts as the messenger receiving provisions; by observing the condition of the lips and tongue, one can discern auspicious or inauspicious signs. Therefore, if the upper and lower lips are symmetrical and upright, the Spleen is correctly positioned; if the lips deviate to one side, the Spleen is tilted. If the lips are everted, the Spleen is high. If the lower lip hangs loose, the Spleen is low. If the lips are firm, the Spleen is solid; if the lips are large but not firm, the Spleen is fragile. In cases of Spleen disease, the lips turn yellow. In cases of Spleen exhaustion, the four corners of the lips swell. The *Yi shuo* states: Dry and withered lips indicate Spleen Heat; redness and swelling indicate severe Heat; bluish-black color indicates extreme Cold). It also belongs to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (The *Ling shu* states: When Qi of the Yangming meridian arrives, biting of the lips occurs. It further states: Diseases generated by the Foot-Yangming meridian include ulcers on the mouth and lips. Commentary: Diseases generated refer to blood-level pathologies. See detailed discussion in the later section "Ying-Wei Chapter". The *Zhong zang jing* states: Heat in the Stomach causes black lips. Purple lip color indicates deficiency-cold of Stomach Qi. Shen Chengzhi states: The upper lip flanking the mouth belongs to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; the lower lip flanking the mouth belongs to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian). It additionally relates to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (The *Xuan zhu mi yu* states: Redness of both upper and lower lips indicates Heart Heat; redness of only the upper lip indicates Heart Heat; redness of the upper lip and whiteness of the lower lip indicate Kidney deficiency with failure of Heart Fire to descend. Qian Zhongyang states: The Lung governs the whiteness of the lips; white with luster indicates survival, while white like dry bones indicates death. Whenever the lips are white, the Lung should be tonified. Since the Spleen is the mother of the Lung, if both child and mother organs are deficient and cannot nourish each other, this condition is named "Qie" [Timidity/Weakness], thus requiring tonification. If the color is deep red, the deficiency-heat in the Lung should be dispersed). It also belongs to the Chong Mai [Penetrating Vessel] and Ren Mai [Conception Vessel] (The *Ling shu* states: Both the Chong and Ren vessels originate from the Baozhong [uterus/mid-jiao], ascend along the interior of the back, and serve as the Sea of the Meridians. Those that float outward follow the right side of the abdomen upward, converge at the throat, and branch to network the lips and mouth. When Qi and Blood are abundant, they fill the skin and warm the flesh; when Blood alone is abundant, it seeps into the skin and generates body hair. Now, after birth, women have an excess of Qi but a deficiency of Blood, due to frequent blood loss. Because the Chong and Ren vessels do not nourish the lips and mouth, hair does not grow there. My commentary notes: From this, it follows that men lacking facial hair is also due to Blood failing to nourish the Chong and Ren vessels).