足阳明胃经。与脾为表里。上通咽喉。胃下口即小肠。上口属中央戊土。戊化火。故土性爱暖。热则伤胃。但忌寒
耳。主行气。故谷入胃。脉道乃行。其用与性情等。俱不外乎脾脉。受手阳阳大肠之交。大肠脉终于鼻孔。胃脉即
起于鼻之两旁。上行左右相交 。 即山根也。故鼽衄皆胃病。下循鼻外。上入齿中。还出挟口环唇。下交承浆。唇下
陷中曰承浆。循颐后下廉。上耳前。循发际。至 颅。故齿痛口 唇胗额颅痛皆胃病。其支者。从耳后。下颈
循喉咙。入缺盆。下隔属胃络脾。故胃病主颈肿喉痹。其直者。从缺盆下乳内廉。下挟脐。入气街中。其支者。起胃口
下循腹里至气街。与前之入气街者合。故胃邪盛。身以前皆热。又主大腹水肿。膺乳气街俱痛。繇气街。下髀
关。抵伏兔。股外为髀。髀前膝上起肉处。为伏兔。后为髀关。即股内也。下膝膑中。循胫外廉。下足跗。入足中指内
间。挟膝解中为膑。足面为跗。股膝足胫痛皆胃病。其支者。别跗上入大指间。出其端。胃实则热。热则恶火。四肢
者。诸阳之本。阳盛则四肢实。实则能登高而歌。弃衣而走。又火盛与水相激。为奔响腹胀。胃虚则寒栗鼓颔。善呻恶
人。喜闭户处。闻木音则惊。颜则黑。且数数而欠。胃之大略如此。
The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is exteriorly-interiorly related to the Spleen. It ascends to connect with the throat. The lower opening of the Stomach connects to the Small Intestine, while its upper opening belongs to the Central Wu Earth. Wu Earth transforms into Fire; therefore, the nature of Earth loves warmth. Excessive heat damages the Stomach, so it primarily fears Cold. The Stomach governs the movement of Qi; thus, when food enters the Stomach, the vessels (Mai) begin to flow. Its function and temperament are consistent with those of the Spleen, both essentially reflecting the characteristics of the Spleen pulse. The Stomach meridian receives interaction from the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. The pulse of the Large Intestine terminates at the nostrils, whereas the pulse of the Stomach originates from both sides of the nose, ascending and intersecting on the left and right at the Shangen point (the root of the nose). Therefore, rhinorrhea (Qiu) and epistaxis (Nu) are all considered disorders of the Stomach. The meridian descends along the lateral side of the nose, enters the teeth, emerges to encircle the lips, and intersects below at the Chengjiang acupoint (the depression below the lower lip is called Chengjiang). It then follows behind the chin, descends along the lower jaw, ascends in front of the ear, follows the hairline, and reaches the forehead and skull. Consequently, toothache, herpes labialis (Zhen), and pain in the forehead and skull are all attributed to Stomach disorders.
A branch arises from behind the ear, descends along the neck, follows the throat, enters the Keyuan (supraclavicular fossa), passes through the diaphragm, enters the Stomach, and connects with the Spleen. Thus, Stomach disorders primarily manifest as neck swelling and throat obstruction (Houbi). The main trunk descends from the Keyuan along the inner edge of the breast, descends flanking the umbilicus, and enters the Qichong region (inguinal area). Another branch originates from below the stomach opening, descends within the abdomen to the Qichong region, and merges with the previously mentioned branch entering the Qichong. Therefore, when pathogenic factors in the Stomach are excessive, the anterior aspect of the body becomes hot. It also governs massive abdominal edema and pain in the chest, breasts, and Qichong region.
From the Qichong region, it descends to the Biguan acupoint, reaching the Futu acupoint. The lateral thigh is called Bi; the fleshy prominence on the anterior thigh above the knee is called Futu; the posterior part is the Biguan, which corresponds to the medial thigh. The meridian descends to the center of the patella, follows the lateral edge of the tibia, descends to the dorsum of the foot, and enters the space between the medial aspects of the middle toe. The "knee joint" refers to the articulation of the knee, and "Fu" refers to the dorsum of the foot. Therefore, pain in the thighs, knees, feet, and shins are all attributed to Stomach disorders.
Another branch diverges from the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the big toes, and emerges at its tip. When the Stomach is full and hot, the patient dislikes fire. The four limbs are the roots of all Yang meridians; when Yang is excessive, the limbs become solid and strong, manifesting as the ability to climb high and sing, or stripping clothes and running about. Furthermore, if Fire is excessive and clashes with Water, it causes distension resembling Benxian (fleeing vapor) in the abdomen. If the Stomach is deficient and cold, there will be chills, trembling of the chin (Guhan), a tendency to moan, fear of people, a preference for closing doors and staying alone, startle response upon hearing wooden sounds, a dark complexion, and frequent yawning. This is the general overview of the Stomach meridian.