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(Right and left sides together, eighteen acupoints.)
Tianchi (PC1), Tianquan (PC2), Quze (PC3), Ximen (PC4), Jianshi (PC5), Neiguan (PC6), Daling (PC7), Laogong (PC8), Zhongchong (PC9).

The Pericardium is one zang organ. The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states that it has no form. Hua Borén said: "The Pericardium is also called the Hand-Shaoyin Master of Heart. Based on Zang-Xiang theory (the manifestation of internal organs), it is located above the horizontal diaphragm and below the vertical diaphragm of the heart. The part adhering to the horizontal diaphragm and wrapped in yellow fat is the Heart; outside this fat layer, there are fine fibrous membranes like threads connecting to the Heart and Lungs; this is the Pericardium." This explanation is correct. Claims stating that the Pericardium is formless are incorrect. Furthermore, consulting the *Ling Lan Mi Dian Lun* (Treatise on the Secret Canon of Spiritual Orchids), which lists twelve official functions, omits the Pericardium but adds a section regarding the "Shanzhong (Chest Center) as the Official of the Envoy, from whom joy and pleasure emanate." Upon examination, the Pericardium organ resides above the diaphragm, and its meridian begins in the chest, precisely at the location of Shanzhong; it houses Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire, fire residing in the Liver and Kidneys acting as the gate of life), performing duties on behalf of the Sovereign (Heart), truly serving as an envoy. Is this official function referring to this meridian?

The Bao Luo (Pericardium Collateral) protects the Master of the Heart, preventing turbid qi from interfering with it. This is exactly because the Sovereign possesses a palace city (protective barrier).

(Right and left sides together, forty-six acupoints.)
Guanchong (TE1), Yemen (TE2), Zhongzhu (TE3), Yangchi (TE4), Waiguan (TE5), Zhigou (TE6), Huizong (TE7), Sanyangluo (TE8), Sidu (TE9), Tianjing (TE10), Qinglengyuan (TE11), Xiaoluo (TE12), Jianliao (TE13), Tianyou (TE14), Yifeng (TE17), Luxi (TE18), Jiaosun (TE19), Ermen (TE21), Heliao (TE22), Sizhukong (TE23).

The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is the Official of Drainage and Ditching, through which water passages flow. This meridian is characterized by having little blood and abundant qi.

The *Zhong Zang Jing* (Classic of Middle Viscera) states: "The Sanjiao is the Qi of the Three Origins of humans, commanding the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, Ying-Wei (Nutritive and Defensive) meridians, and the qi of the interior, exterior, left, right, upper, and lower. When the Sanjiao is unobstructed, the interior, exterior, left, right, upper, and lower all become unobstructed. In terms of irrigating the whole body, harmonizing the interior and exterior, nourishing the left and protecting the right, guiding the upper and venting the lower, nothing surpasses this."

Sanjiao refers collectively to the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections, hence the name "Three"; because it is close to the viscera, it is named "Jiao" (Burner/Scorched).

The Upper Jiao emerges from the upper orifice of the Stomach, primarily responsible for receiving and not discharging. The Middle Jiao is located at the middle epigastrium of the Stomach, primarily responsible for rotting and ripening food and drink, steaming fluids, transforming essence and subtle substances, sending them upward to the Lung, where they transform into blood to sustain the living body. The Lower Jiao begins below the Lanmen (Gate of the Appendix/Ileocecal junction), primarily responsible for discharging and not receiving.