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(Ribs are the bones of the hypochondrium; "hypochondrium" (Xie) is the general term, while "ribs" (Lei) refers to the specific parts. The old saying that areas without bones are called hypochondrium is a major error.) The hypochondriac region primarily belongs to the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Jueyin Liver Channel of Foot-Shaoyin). *Ling Shu* states: "The meridian of the Foot-Jueyin penetrates the diaphragm and spreads over the hypochondrium." It also states: "Broad chest and elevated ribs indicate a high liver position; converging ribs and sunken lower rib margins indicate a low liver position; well-proportioned chest and hypochondrium indicate a firm liver; weak ribs indicate a fragile liver; harmonious relationship between chest and abdomen indicates an upright liver; obliquely elevated ribs indicate a tilted liver." Furthermore: "When pathogenic factors affect the Liver, pain occurs in the middle of both hypochondria." *Su Wen* states: "When the disease resides in the Liver, it internally lodges in the hypochondrium." It also states: "When the green pulse arrives, long and pulsating on both sides, with stagnant Qi supporting beneath the heart, it is named Liver Bi (Liver Impediment). Caused by Cold-Dampness, it follows the same treatment principles as Hernia, presenting with lower back pain, cold feet, and headache." Additionally: "Liver diseases cause dizziness and vertigo of the head and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, and fullness/distension in the hypochondrium." Also: "If the Liver pulse is firm and long, but the complexion is not green, the condition should be diagnosed as resembling trauma from beating. This is due to blood stasis under the hypochondrium, causing panting and rebellious Qi." Zhu Danxi stated: "Hypochondriac pain is caused by excessive Liver Fire and excess Wood Qi. For excessive Liver Fire, administer Danggui Longhui Wan (Angelica Sinensis and Scutellaria Barbadensis Pill) with ginger juice to purge it; for excess Wood Qi, use herbs such as Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Cangzhu), Tangerine Peel (Qingpi), and Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui) to drain it." He further stated: "To remove stagnant Qi, use Qingpi (Tangerine Peel), which is a herb for the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. People prone to anger often have stagnation and accumulation in the hypochondrium; thus, this herb is suitable for resolving excess in these two meridians. If there is Qi deficiency in these two meridians, one should first tonify Blood, adding a small amount of Qingpi." Dai Fu'an stated: "For hypochondriac pain without other mixed symptoms, left-sided pain indicates disease in the Liver Meridian, treated with Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Aurantium Fruit (Zhike), and Licorice Root (Gancao); right-sided pain indicates Heat transferred from the Liver to the Lung, treated with Turmeric Rhizome (Jianghuang), Aurantium Fruit (Zhike), Cinnamon Twig (Guixin), and Licorice Root (Gancao)."

The hypochondriac region also belongs to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang). *Ling Shu* states: "The branch of the Foot-Shaoyang meridian runs inside the hypochondrium and emerges at the Qichong point. When the meridian is disturbed, it causes hypochondriac pain and inability to turn or lie sideways." *Su Wen* states: "When pathogenic factors lodge in the collateral of the Foot-Shaoyang, they cause hypochondriac pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, and sweating." It also states: "Excess in Shaoyang leads to Jin Bi (Sinew Impediment) and hypochondriac fullness." Furthermore: "In San-Yang stage of Cold Damage, if Shaoyang is affected, its meridian connects the hypochondrium and ears, resulting in chest-hypochondriac pain and deafness." Li Dongyuan stated: "For bilateral hypochondriac pain, puncture Qiuxu (GB40) of the Shaoyang meridian. Qiuxu is located in the depression slightly anterior to the bone crease below the lateral malleolus of both feet, which is the Yuan-Source point of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian."

It also concurrently belongs to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Taiyin Spleen Channel of Foot-Taiyin) and the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Taiyang Bladder Channel of Foot-Taiyang). *Ling Shu* states: "The sinews of the Foot-Taiyin run inside the abdomen, knot at the ribs, and scatter in the chest; their pathology presents as bilateral hypochondriac pain radiating to the chest." Shen Chengzhi stated: "The anterior part of the hypochondrium belongs to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and the posterior part belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian."