(俗呼颧骨),属手足三焦、胆、手太阳小肠经之会,
又属手少阴心经(《灵枢》曰∶心病者颧赤),又属足少阴肾(《灵枢》曰∶肾病者,颧与颜黑)。
颊(面旁也),属手足少阳三焦、胆、手太阳小肠、足阳明胃经之会。
三锡曰∶咽以咽物,即食脘也。喉以候气,即气脘也。会厌者,音声之户也。悬壅者,音声之关也。咽与喉,
会厌与舌,此四者同在一门,而其用各异。喉以候气,故喉气通于天。咽以纳食,故咽气通于地。会厌管乎其上,以司
开阖,掩其厌则食下,不掩则错,在喉之前,必舌抵上 ,则会厌能闭其喉矣。四者交相为用,阙一则饮食废而死矣。
属手太阳小肠、少阴心、足太阴脾、足厥阴肝经之会(《素问》曰∶咽主地气,地气通于嗌,太阴脉布胃中,络于隘,
故腹满而嗌干),又属足少阴肾(《素问》曰∶邪客于足少阴之络,令人咽痛,不可内食),又属足阳明胃经(《灵
枢》曰∶阳明之脉上通于心,上循咽出于口),又属足厥阴肝、少阳胆(《素问》曰,肝者中之将也。取决于胆,咽为
之使。《灵枢》曰∶足少阳之正,上侠咽,出颐颔)。侠咽,属手少阴心、足太阴脾之会。
喉在咽之后,属手太阴肺、足阳明胃、少阴肾、厥阴肝经、任脉之会(《灵枢》曰∶手太阴肺,正出缺盆,循喉
咙。《素问》曰∶喉主天气,天气通于肺,即肺系也),又属手少阴心、少阳三焦经(《灵枢》曰∶少阴正,上走喉咙,
出于面。《素问》曰∶心咳之壮,咳则咽痛。越人曰∶三焦之气通于喉,喉咙之声则发矣),又属手足阳明大肠、胃、手
少阳三焦经之合(手阳明之正,上循喉咙,出缺盆),又属足太阴脾(《千金》曰∶喉咙者,脾胃之候也)。喉咙后,属
足厥阴肝、心包络。结喉两旁,应手太阴动脉,属足阳明胃。
(The area commonly referred to as the zygomatic bone) is the intersection of the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Taiyang, Sanjiao Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, Gallbladder Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang, Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, and Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang.
It also belongs to the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin (as stated in *Ling Shu*: "In cases of Heart disease, the zygomatic region appears red") and the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin (as stated in *Ling Shu*: "In cases of Kidney disease, the zygomatic region and the face appear dark").
The cheek (referring to the sides of the face) is the intersection of the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang, Sanjiao Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, Gallbladder Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang, Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang, Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang, and Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming.
Sanxini said: The pharynx (Yan) is used for swallowing food, which is the esophagus. The larynx/trachea (Hou) is used for receiving air, which is the airway. The epiglottis (Huiyan) is the gate through which sound emerges. The uvula (Xuan Yong) is the barrier for sound production. The pharynx and larynx,
the epiglottis and the tongue, these four structures are located in the same passage but have distinct functions. The larynx receives air, so its qi connects with Heaven. The pharynx accepts food, so its qi connects with Earth. The epiglottis governs the upper opening and closing; if it covers the entrance, food descends properly; if not covered, errors occur. Located in front of the larynx, when the tongue presses against the palate, the epiglottis can close the laryngeal inlet. These four structures function interdependently; lacking any one of them would result in the loss of dietary function and death.
The pharynx and larynx region is the intersection of the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang, Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin, and Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin (as stated in *Su Wen*: "The pharynx governs Earth Qi; Earth Qi connects to the Yi [throat/pharynx]. The Taiyin meridian spreads within the stomach and connects to the Yi,
thus causing abdominal fullness and dry throat"), and also to the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin (as stated in *Su Wen*: "When pathogenic factors invade the collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney, it causes throat pain and inability to ingest food"), and to the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (as stated in *Ling Shu*: "The Yangming meridian ascends to connect with the Heart, follows up along the pharynx, and emerges from the mouth"), and to the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin and Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang (as stated in *Su Wen*: "The Liver is the general; decisions depend on the Gallbladder, and the pharynx acts as its envoy. As stated in *Ling Shu*: "The regular pathway of the Foot-Shaoyang meridian ascends alongside the pharynx and emerges at the jaw"). The area beside the pharynx (Xiayan) is the intersection of the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin and the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin.
The larynx/trachea (Hou) is located behind the pharynx and is the intersection of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin, Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin, and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) (as stated in *Ling Shu*: "The Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian emerges from the Supraclavicular Fossa, following along the larynx. As stated in *Su Wen*: "The larynx governs Heavenly Qi; Heavenly Qi connects to the Lung, which is the root of the lung system"), and also to the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin and Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang (as stated in *Ling Shu*: "The regular pathway of Hand-Shaoyin ascends to the larynx and emerges on the face. As stated in *Su Wen*: "In severe cases of Heart Cough, coughing is accompanied by throat pain. Bian Que said: "The Qi of the Sanjiao connects to the larynx, and the voice of the larynx is produced there"), and also to the He-Sea points of the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming, Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, and Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang (The regular pathway of Hand-Yangming ascends along the larynx and emerges from the Supraclavicular Fossa), and also to the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (as stated in *Qian Jin Fang*: "The larynx and pharynx are the external indicators of the Spleen and Stomach"). Behind the larynx and pharynx, it belongs to the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin and Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin. On both sides of the Adam's apple (Jiehou), where the pulse of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin can be felt, it belongs to the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming.