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The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) states: The human body has twelve major valleys (large gatherings of muscle are called valleys. The "twelve" refers to the distribution areas of the twelve meridians). There are fourteen collateral vessels (the collaterals of the twelve meridians, plus the collaterals of the Ren and Du meridians, total fourteen. According to the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), the Ren and Du meridians are not mentioned, but rather the Yang Qiao and Yin Qiao meridians are discussed, which differs from Wang Bing's commentary on the *Suwen*; adding the large collateral of the Spleen makes fifteen. It is speculated that because the meridians originate from the Spleen, it was excluded?). There are 365 sun collaterals (sun collaterals branching off from the main meridians; those with abundant blood requiring drainage also number 365, all injecting into the collaterals, then transmitting to the twelve main collaterals, not just the fourteen mentioned). There are 354 small streams (where small collaterals intersect, called small streams; originally there were 365, minus the twelve Shu points, leaving 363; the current figure of 354 is erroneous). The convergence of streams and valleys facilitates the circulation of Ying (Nutrient) Qi and Wei (Defensive) Qi, and gathers the Great Qi ("Xia Hui" in some texts appears as "She"). (This passage synthesizes content from the chapters *Zang Wu Sheng Cheng*, *Zheng Si Shi Lun*, and *Qi Xue Lun*).

The *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: Meridians run deep within, while branches running transversely are called collaterals; further subdivisions of collaterals are called sun collaterals. All vessels that float visibly on the surface are collaterals. Collaterals do not pass through major joints but exit and re-enter through special pathways within the skin, so their intersections are visible externally. Meridians lie hidden between muscle layers, deep and unseen; their deficiency or excess can be determined via the Qi Kou (Cunkou pulse). Among them, only the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian is commonly visible, as it passes over the lateral malleolus without concealment. (Summarizing the chapters *Mai Du* and *Jing Mai*). (Lou Quanshan stated: Hua Borén, in his *Fourteen Meridians Exposition*, explained meridians as curving and collaterals as straight; meridians govern Ying Qi, while collaterals govern Wei Qi. Thus, the branch of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian exiting at the tip of the index finger to connect with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is termed the collateral of Hand Taiyin. Similarly, the branch of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian ascending from Lieque to cross the nose and mouth to connect with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian is the collateral of Hand Yangming. Any branch of the twelve meridians lying hidden in muscle spaces is interpreted as a collateral, differing from the textual description that collaterals are superficial, follow unique paths avoiding major joints, and have specific counting rules. Furthermore, he described the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian as having three bends... differing from the text's description of its path starting at the inner canthus... This is the second discrepancy. He also claimed that after 13,500 breaths, the pulse travels 810 zhang, coinciding with the Yin hour, returning to the Hand Taiyin, conflating Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) accumulating in the chest with the Wei Qi that circulates fifty cycles... differing from the text which mentions only Ying and Wei Qi... This is the third discrepancy. These interpretations distort the original meaning and confuse learners, hence I clarify them.) It also states: The three Yin meridians of the hand travel from the zang organs to the hands (Hand Taiyin from the Middle Jiao to the thumb and index finger tips; Hand Shaoyin from the Heart to the little finger tip; Hand Jueyin from the Chest to the middle finger tip); the three Yang meridians of the hand travel from the hands to the head (Hand Yangming from the thumb/index finger tips to beside the nostrils; Hand Taiyang from the little finger tip to the inner canthus; Hand Shaoyang from the index/little finger tips to the outer canthus). The three Yang meridians of the foot travel from the head to the feet (Foot Yangming from the nose to the medial side of the middle toe; Foot Taiyang from the inner canthus to the lateral side of the little toe; Foot Shaoyang from the outer canthus to the space between the little and fourth toes). The three Yin meridians of the foot travel from the feet to the abdomen (Foot Taiyin from the big toe to connect with the Spleen and link to the Stomach; Foot Shaoyin from the sole of the foot to connect with the Kidney and link to the Bladder; Foot Jueyin from the hairline of the big toe to connect with the Liver and link to the Gallbladder. Although said to travel from foot to abdomen, Foot Taiyin ascends through the diaphragm along the throat and spreads under the tongue; Foot Shaoyin ascends from the Kidney along the root of the tongue; Foot Jueyin ascends to the vertex, meeting the Du Meridian. Additionally, Hand Taiyin emerges horizontally from the Lung system under the armpit; Hand Shaoyin ascends from the Heart System to the Lungs and out under the armpit; Hand Jueyin emerges from the chest along the ribs to the axilla. This aligns with Qin Yueren's statement that all Yin meridians reach the neck and chest before returning. However, Jueyin ascends to the vertex, indicating that Yin has no absolute end, similar to the *I Ching*'s "unconsumed fruit" symbolizing Yang's inexhaustibility. While the *I Ching* discusses Yin/Yang in terms of formless Qi, medicine discusses them via Zang-Xiang (organ manifestations); Qi is formless (Yang), Zang-Xiang has substance (Yin). Thus, the *I Ching* honors Yang, while medicine values both equally). (From *Ni Shun Fei Shou Pian*). Wang Bing (Wai Taipu) stated: Taiyin is Principal Yin, Shaoyin is Lesser Yin, and Jueyin is Extreme Yin ("Jue" means end). Taiyang is Principal Yang, Shaoyang is Lesser Yang, and Yangming is Combined Brightness.

The *Suwen* further states: The Three Yin and Three Yang each have separation and combination (Separation means distinct positioning within Yin/Yang; Combination means pairing as exterior-interior to form Zang-Fu relationships). Interior is Yin, exterior is Yang. When the sage faces south, the front is Guangming (Broad Brightness, referring to the Heart located South), and the back is Taichong (Great Surge, referring to the Conception Vessel and Governor Vessel merging in strength). The area of Taichong is named Shaoyin (indicating the merger of Taichong and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian as interior-exterior). Above Shaoyin is Taiyang (Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian originates below the little toe; Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian runs to the lateral little toe, thus Taiyang is above Shaoyin. Taiyang is Yang within Yin, rooting at Zhiyin and knotting at Mingmen). The upper middle belongs to Guangming. Below Guangming is Taiyin (referring to Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian). In front of Taiyin is Yangming (Foot Taiyin starts at the big toe; Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian bifurcates below the knee... thus Yangming is anterior to Taiyin. Yangming is Yang within Yin, rooting at Lidui). Exterior to Jueyin is Shaoyang (Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian starts at the big toe; Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian runs along the dorsum... thus Shaoyang is exterior to Jueyin. Shaoyang is Lesser Yang within Yin, rooting at Qiaoyin). Therefore, regarding the separation/combination of the Three Yang: Taiyang is Kai (Opening), Yangming is He (Closing), Shaoyang is Shu (Pivot). These three must not function independently; pulsating yet not floating constitutes One Yang. The center is Yin, with the Chong vessel below, named Taiyin (Chong vessel arises below the kidney... Foot Taiyin is above Chong. Taiyin is Yin within Yin, rooting at Yinbai). Behind Taiyin is Shaoyin (Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian arises below the little toe... thus Shaoyin is inferior to Taiyin. Shaoyin is Lesser Yin within Yin, rooting at Yongquan). In front of Shaoyin is Jueyin (Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian crosses posterior to Taiyin... thus Jueyin is superior to Shaoyin. Jueyin is Absolute Yin, where Yin energy ends, rooting at Dazhun. Two Yins combine, hence Absolute Yin/Yang). Therefore, regarding the Three Yin: Taiyin is Kai, Jueyin is He, Shaoyin is Shu. These three must not fail; pulsating yet not sinking constitutes One Yin. (Summarizing *Yin Yang Li He Lun*).

The *Neijing* states: Yang combines at Chen and Si hours, becoming bright, hence Yangming. Chen (March) governs Left Foot Yangming; Si (April) governs Right Foot Yangming. Yin intersects and ends at Xu and Hai hours, becoming dark, hence Jueyin. Xu (September) governs Right Foot Jueyin; Hai (October) governs Left Foot Jueyin. (Summarizing *Suwen · Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* and *Lingshu · Yin Yang Xi Ri Yue*).

The *Lingshu* further states: Above the waist, Hand Taiyin (Lung) and Hand Yangming (Large Intestine) govern; below the waist, Foot Taiyin (Spleen) and Foot Yangming (Stomach) govern (*Zhong Shi Pian*). The *Suwen* adds: To understand Pi Bu (Skin Regions), one uses the meridians as guidelines; this applies to all meridians. Observing superficial collaterals in any region reveals the corresponding meridian's collaterals. For Yangming collaterals: blue indicates pain, black indicates Bi syndrome, yellow-red indicates heat, white indicates cold, and mixed colors indicate cold-heat complexity. (General rule for other meridians too). Excess in collaterals allows pathogens to enter the meridians. Yang governs the exterior, Yin governs the interior. Shaoyang's Yang is named Shu Chi (Pivot Holder). Observing superficial collaterals identifies Shaoyang collaterals; excess leads to entry into meridians. Thus, Yang collaterals receive/nourish, Yin collaterals exude/seep internally. Taiyang's Yang is named Guan Shu (Gate Pivot). Shaoyin's Yin is named Shu Ru (Pivot Compliance). Xin Bao (Pericardium)'s Yin is named Hai Jian (Shoulder Obstruction). Taiyin's Yin is named Guan Zhe (Gate Hibernation). All twelve meridian collaterals constitute the Skin Regions. Diseases begin in the skin/hair; pathogens enter collaterals, then meridians, then Fu organs, finally accumulating in the intestines/stomach. Pathogens entering skin cause goosebumps and open pores; entering collaterals causes color changes (Heart red, Lung white, Liver green, Spleen yellow, Kidney black; Yang collateral colors vary, causing pain/Bi/cold-heat). Entering meridians requires deficiency to sink; lingering in sinews/bones causes spasms/pain (cold) or flaccidity/resorption (heat). Skin is the domain of pulses; pathogens entering skin open pores, enter collaterals, fill meridians, and settle in Zang-Fu. If untreated, serious illness ensues. (From *Pi Bu Lun*).

Zhang Shixian stated: The abdomen is Yin; the Mu (Alarm) points of the Five Zang are here. Lung Mu: Zhongfu; Heart Mu: Juque; Spleen Mu: Zhangmen; Liver Mu: Qimen; Kidney Mu: Jingmen. The back is Yang; the Shu (Transport) points of the Five Zang are here. Lung Shu: T3 level; Heart Shu: T5 level; Liver Shu: T9 level; Spleen Shu: T11 level; Kidney Shu: T14 level. External Wind-Cold affects the back (Yang), so Yin diseases manifest on Yang; internal dietary cold/heat affects Six Fu, transmitting to Five Zang, so Yang diseases manifest on Yin. Yin diseases on Yang should be treated by drawing Yin from Yang (Shu points); Yang diseases on Yin should be treated by drawing Yang from Yin (Mu points).

The *Nan Jing* states: The Five Zang and Six Fu each have Jing-River-Shu-Source-He points. Jing points are where Qi emerges (like a spring source). Ying points are where flow begins (slight stream). Shu points are where Qi pours (flowing down). Jing points are where Qi travels (passage). He points are where Qi enters (merging with Zang-Fu). Yangming's Yang is named Hai Fei. The Six Fu uniquely add a Source point (Yuan), making six points per Fu. Yuan Qi, arising between the kidneys below the navel, is the root of life and the twelve meridians. San Jiao (Triple Burner) is the envoy of Yuan Qi, circulating Qi through Zang-Fu; wherever it stops is a Yuan point. Since San Jiao travels through Yang meridians and Fu organs are Yang, the Five Zang use Shu points as Yuan points, while the Six Fu add distinct Yuan points. (Summarizing *Nan Jing* Chapters 66 and 68).