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The Luo-connecting vessel of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium has nine unique acupoints, starting from Tianchi (PC1) and Tianquan (PC2), extending through Quze (PC3) and Jianshi (PC5), connecting to Neiguan (PC6), with Daling (PC7) near Laogong (PC8), and finally reaching Zhongchong (PC9).

The Pericardium Luo vessel originates at Tianchi (PC1), located one cun posterior to the nipple and three cun below the axilla. Tianquan (PC2) is three cun below the axillary fold. Quze (PC3) is in the center of the depression at the cubital crease when the elbow is flexed. Jian Shi (PC5) [Note: Text refers to 'Men' but describes location of Jian Shi or implies distance contextually, standard text usually places Jian Shi 3 cun above wrist, Neiguan 2 cun. The text says "Men qu wan fang wu cun" which likely refers to a specific measurement point or typo for Jian Shi/Neiguan context, but strictly translating the location described]: five cun distal to the wrist crease. Jian Shi (PC5) is measured three cun proximal to the wrist crease. Neiguan (PC6) is two cun proximal to the wrist crease. Daling (PC7) is between the two tendons behind the palm. Laogong (PC8) is located by flexing the middle and ring fingers. Zhongchong (PC9) is detailed at the tip of the middle finger.

[Image: Diagram of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian]
[Image: Diagram of the Sanjiao Meridian]

*Zhongzang Jing* states: The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is the Qi of the Three Primes of the human body, commanding the Qi of the Zang-Fu organs, Ying-Wei (Nutritive-Defensive), meridians, and all internal, external, left, right, upper, and lower aspects. When the Sanjiao is unobstructed, the internal and external, left and right, upper and lower are all connected. In terms of irrigating the whole body, harmonizing the interior and exterior, nourishing the left and right, guiding the upper and promoting the lower, nothing is greater than this.

Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian: The Sanjiao is the Official of Drainage, from which water passages emerge. The Upper Jiao is located at the upper opening of the stomach, its treatment site being Danzhong (CV17); the Middle Jiao is at Zhongwan (CV12), its treatment site being beside the umbilicus; the Lower Jiao is above the bladder, its treatment site being one cun below the umbilicus. The Upper Jiao is like mist, the Middle Jiao like fermentation, and the Lower Jiao like a ditch. Although divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower, they actually penetrate from top to bottom and are all the True Yang Qi from between the kidneys. Within the diaphragmatic fat and between the Zang-Fu organs, at the junction where water and grain transform, Qi merges and steams the diaphragm, decomposes food, develops skin and muscles, and circulates to the four limbs. It is truly the Special Envoy of Yuan Qi (Original Qi). As the Special Envoy of Yuan Qi, because Yuan Qi relies on it for guidance, moving secretly throughout the body, it is called the Root of Life. The terms Upper, Middle, and Lower refer only to their respective parts; any empty space within the Zang-Fu and fatty membranes counts. Therefore, although it has no specific form, it takes its name based on the forms inside and outside; although it has no substantial organ, it establishes its position by combining internal and external functions. This is what is meant by "borrowing form to define form." This meridian originally had both name and form; the later view that it exists only as a name without shape is incorrect. This meridian is rich in Qi and poor in Blood, acting as the interior-exterior pair with the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. Qi and Blood flow into this meridian during the Hai hour (9 PM - 11 PM).

Its clinical manifestations include: deafness with muffled hearing, sore throat and glottic obstruction, pain at the outer canthus, pain in the back of the ear, shoulder, and lateral aspect of the elbow and arm, and dysfunction of the little and ring fingers.

The meridian's pathway receives transmission from the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Luo vessel. It starts at Guanchong (TE1) at the radial side of the tip of the ring finger, emerges between the ring and index fingers, passes through Yesmen (TE2) and Zhongzhu (TE3), follows the Yangchi (TE4) on the dorsal aspect of the wrist, and emerges between the two bones of the forearm. It continues along Waiguan (TE5), Zhigou (TE6), Huizong (TE7), Sanyangluo (TE8), and Sidu (TE9), penetrates upward through the elbow, and reaches Tianjing (TE10). From Tianjing, it ascends along the lateral aspect of the arm, passing Qinglengyuan (GB11) and Xiaoluo (GB12), running medial to the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and lateral to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. It ascends to the shoulder, passing Naohui (TE14), Jianliao (TE15), and Tianliao (TE16), emerging posterior to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. It passes Bingfeng (SI12) of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and Jianjing (GB21) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, descends into the Supraclavicular Fossa (Quepen) of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, then returns via the lateral aspect of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian to intersect at Danzhong (CV17). It spreads and networks around the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, attaches to the Upper Jiao at the upper opening of the stomach, attaches to the Middle Jiao at Zhongwan, and attaches to the Lower Jiao at Xiawan. A branch emerges from Danzhong (CV17), exits the supraclavicular fossa, ascends the neck alongside the ear, passes Dazhui (GV14) of the Du Vessel, follows Tianyou (TE16) to reach behind the ear, passes Yifeng (TE17), Xuanmai (GB37 - Note: Text says 'Xuanmai' but context suggests Shaofang or similar, sticking to text 'Xuanmai'), and Luxi (TB19), ascending directly to Jiaosun (TE20) at the upper corner of the ear. It passes Xuanli (GB37), Hanyan (GB18), and Yangbai (GB14) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and the boundary of Jingming (BL1) of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. It curves down to the cheek, meeting Quanliao (SI18) of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Another branch enters the ear from Yifeng (TE17), passes Tinggong (SI19) of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, goes through Ermen (TE21) to Tinghui (GB2), emerges at the outer canthus, meets Tongziliao (GB1) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, follows Sizhukong (TE23), and intersects with the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, descending from Tongziliao (GB1) and Tinghui (GB2).