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The lips belong to the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian (Suwen states: The spleen is the foundation of the granaries, the residence of Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), and its luster manifests in the lips. Ling Shu states: The spleen primarily assists the stomach in receiving food; by observing the condition of the lips and tongue, one can predict auspicious or inauspicious outcomes. Therefore, if the upper and lower lips are symmetrical and upright, it indicates correct spirit; if the lip deviates and lifts on one side, it indicates a tilted spleen. If the lips are everted upward, the spleen is high; if the lips hang down loosely, 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 spleen diseases, the lips turn yellow; when spleen function fails, swelling occurs around the four sides of the lips. It is also said: The lips are the root of muscles. If meridians do not nourish them, muscles will not be smooth and lustrous; if not smooth and lustrous, muscles become distended; if distended, the lips evert outward. When lips evert outward, muscle tissue dies first; the condition worsens on Jia days and death occurs on Yi days). They also belong to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (Ling Shu states: Diseases occurring in the Foot-Yangming meridian include oral ulcers. 'Zhen' is an ancient character for 'zhen' (rash), referring to lip sores). They also belong to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Xuan Zhu states: Redness of both upper and lower lips indicates heart heat; redness of the upper lip and whiteness of the lower lip indicate kidney deficiency with failure of heart fire to descend). They also belong to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (Qian Zhongyang states: The lung governs the lips. Whiteness with luster is auspicious; whiteness like dry bone indicates death. For white lips, tonify the spleen, as the lung (Metal) is the child of the spleen (Earth)). Surrounding the mouth, they are collectively governed by the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) (Ling Shu states: These two vessels originate from the Baozhong (uterus/pelvic cavity), ascend along the interior of the back, and serve as the Sea of Meridians; those floating externally ascend along the right side of the abdomen, converge at the throat, and connect to the lips. Thus, abundant qi and blood result in beard growth). The upper lip surrounding the mouth belongs to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; the lower lip surrounding the mouth belongs to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.

The tongue belongs to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Neijing states: Heart qi connects to the tongue; when heart qi is harmonious, the five flavors are perceived). It also belongs to the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian (Zhang Jifeng states: The spleen governs the four limbs, and its meridian connects to the root of the tongue and links to the lips). It also belongs to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Ling Shu states: The straight branch of the Foot-Shaoyin meridian ties to the root of the tongue. Xuan Zhu states: The aperture below the tongue is the Lianquan acupoint, where fluids from the kidney gather). It also belongs to the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Ling Shu states: The liver governs sinews; sinews gather at the genitalia and link to the root of the tongue). The tongue governs the perception of the five flavors to nourish the body, relying on the spleen to distribute fluids to the five zang organs. Thus, the primary meridian of the heart ties to the root of the tongue; the primary meridian of the spleen ties to the sides of the tongue; the liver meridian circulates through the genitalia and links to the root of the tongue.