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The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian has twenty acupoints. Its pathway proceeds from Shangyang (LI1), passes through Erjian (LI2) and Sanjian (LI3), reaches Hegu (LI4) and Yangxi (LI5), then traverses Pianli (LI6) and Wenliu (LI7), descends near Xialian (LI8), Shanglian (LI9), and Sanli (LI10). It covers the distance of Quchi (LI11), Zhouliao (LI12), and Wuli (LI13), ascends to Binao (LI14) and Jianyu (LI15), arrives at Jugu (LI16), passes without deviation through Futu (LI18), Heliao connects with the lip, and Yingxiang is close to the nose.

Shangyang (LI1) is located on the medial side of the index finger; Erjian (LI2) is sought before the proximal interphalangeal joint; Sanjian (LI3) is taken in the depression behind the proximal interphalangeal joint; Hegu (LI4) is between the divergent bones of the tiger's mouth; Yangxi (LI5) is in the center of the wrist on the radial side; Pianli (LI6) is secured three cun posterior to the wrist crease; Wenliu (LI7) is five cun posterior to the wrist crease; look for Xialian (LI8) five cun anterior to Quchi (LI11); Shanglian (LI9) is in the middle three cun anterior to Quchi (LI11); Sanli (LI10) is encountered two cun anterior to Quchi (LI11); Quchi (LI11) ends where the cubital fold meets the bone; Zhouliao (LI12) is near the lateral aspect of the greater tubercle of the humerus; Wuli (LI13) is sought in the center of the large tendon, three cun above the elbow moving inward; Binao (LI14) is measured seven cun above the elbow; Jianyu (LI15) is taken at the shoulder tip when the arm is raised; Jugu (LI16) ascends from the tip of the shoulder; Tian Ding (ST9 - *Note: Text says Tian Ding but context implies Futu or similar neck point, however text explicitly says "Tian Ding throat side 4 cun" which describes ST9, but previous line said Futu. The text lists "No Ding winding through Futu", then later "Tian Ding throat side 4 cun". I will translate literally as per text structure*) is accurately located four cun beside the larynx; Futu (LI18) is three cun beside Tiantu (CV22); Heliao is five fen beside Shuigou (GV26); Yingxiang is one cun above Heliao. The acupoints of the Large Intestine Meridian are thus clearly defined.

[Image: Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian Diagram]

[Image: Stomach Organ Diagram]

The upper opening of the stomach is called the Cardia (Benmen). The essence and qi of food and drink are transported upward from here to the Spleen and Lungs, and disseminated throughout the meridians.
*Zhi Yan* states: "The stomach is a convergence, known as the metropolis. The five flavors gather here; what can it not contain? This embodies the meaning that all things return to Earth." *Nan Jing* states: "The stomach weighs two jin and one liang."
The lower opening of the stomach, which is also the upper opening of the small intestine, is called the Pylorus (Youmen).
The Stomach, belonging to the Foot-Yangming Meridian, is the sea of water and grain, and the great source of the six fu organs. Its body is one chi and five cun in diameter, coiled and curved with a length of two zhang and six cun, capable of holding two dou of grain and one dou and five sheng of water. It resides in the Middle Jiao. In the Five Elements, it belongs to Earth, and stands in exterior-interior relationship with the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Its meridian qi and blood are abundant, its function is identical to that of the Spleen, and qi and blood flow into it during the Chen hour (7-9 AM).
Its clinical manifestations include: aversion to cold with shivering, frequent groaning and yawning, dark complexion, aversion to people and fire upon onset of illness; hearing the sound of wood causes alarm and fright, heart palpitations, desire to stay alone with doors closed and windows shut. In severe cases, there is a desire to climb high and sing, discard clothes and run. Abdominal rumbling and distension occur, which is termed Jue (reversal). Diseases governed by blood include manic malaria, excessive sweating due to dampness, rhinorrhea or epistaxis, sores on the lips and cheeks, head swelling, throat obstruction, massive abdominal edema, pain and swelling around the knee popliteal fossa, pain along the chest, breast, Qichong, thigh, Fubao, lateral calf, and dorsum of the foot, and dysfunction of the middle finger. When qi is excess, heat occurs in the anterior body; if stomach qi is excessive, digestion is rapid with easy hunger, and urine is yellow; if qi is deficient, the whole body feels cold; if there is obstruction in the stomach, distension and fullness result.
The meridian receives intersection from the Hand-Yangming Meridian, originating at Yingxiang (LI18) on both sides of the nose. From there, it ascends, crosses at the center of the forehead, passes through the region of Jingming (BL1) of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, descends along the lateral nose, passes through Chengqi (ST1), Sibai (ST2), Juliao (ST3) of this meridian, enters the upper gum, emerges again along Dicang (ST4), flanks the corners of the mouth, surrounds the lower lip, and intersects at Chengjiang (CV24). From Chengjiang, it follows the submandibular region, exits at Daying (ST5), follows Jiache (ST6), ascends anterior to the ear, passes through Tinggong (SI19, referred to as Kezhuren in some contexts or Gallbladder points like Tinghui/Xuanliao depending on interpretation, text says "Gallbladder's guest master"), follows the hairline, converges with Xuanli (GB7) and Hanyan (GB6) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, follows Xiaguan (ST7) and Touwei (ST8), converges with Xuanlu (GB5) of the Gallbladder Meridian, and Shenting (GV24) of the Du Meridian. A branch network starts from anterior to Daying, descends to Renying (ST9), follows the throat, passes through Shuitu (ST10) and Qishe (ST11), enters Quepen (ST12), runs outside Yufu (KI27) of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, descends through the diaphragm at the level of Shangwan (CV13) and Zhongwan (CV12), belongs to the Stomach and connects with the Spleen. From here, a branch descends from Quepen along the medial aspect of the breast, passing through Qihu (ST15), Kufang (ST16), Wuyi (ST17), Yingchuang (ST18), Ruzhong (ST18), Rugen (ST17), Burong (ST21), Chengman (ST22), Liangmen (ST25), Guanmen (ST26), Taiyi (ST27), and Rourun (ST28) acupoints, descends flanking the umbilicus, passes Tian Shu (ST25), Wailing (ST26), Daju (ST27), Shuidao (ST28), Guilai (ST29), and enters Qichong (ST30). Another branch originates from the lower opening of the stomach, runs within the abdomen, passes outside Yuyu (KI16) of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, inside this meridian, descends to Qichong (ST30), merging with the direct path entering Qichong. From here, it travels through Biguan (ST31), reaches Fubao (ST32), passes Yinshi (ST33) and Liangqiu (ST34), descends into the patella. Here, the main branch divides again, passes through Dubi (ST35), descends along the lateral calf through Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Tiaokou (ST38), Xiajuxu (ST39), Fenglong (ST40), and Jiaoxi (ST41), descends to Chongyang (ST42) and Xangu (ST43) on the dorsum of the foot, enters Neiting (ST44) between the second and third toes, and terminates at Lidui (ST45). Another branch arises three cun below the knee, running outside Zusanli (ST36); it diverges downward into the space between the second and third toes, merging with the main branch entering Neiting and Lidui. Yet another small branch approaches Chongyang (ST42), diverges into the space between the big toe, exits laterally to Xingjian (LR2) of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, follows the big toe downwards to its tip, and connects with the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, ascending from Yinbai (SP1), Dadu (SP2), Taibai (SP3), Gongsun (SP4), and Shangqiu (SP5).