Library

The meridian of Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) originates at the outer canthus (Tongziliao, GB1), ascends to the temporal region (Hanyan, GB7, located above the orbital bone on the upper lateral aspect of the temple, also known as Naokong), and descends behind the ear (Tianchong, GB9, located two cun above the hairline behind the ear, three fen anteriorly from the top of the ear; from this point to Fengchi, GB20, are all parts traversed by the Shaoyang meridian). It follows the neck (Fengchi, GB20, located in the depression at the back of the neck below the hairline; pressing here causes tension in the shoulder muscles, identifying the acupoint), passes anterior to the Hand-Shaoyang (Sanjiao) meridian, and reaches the shoulder (Jianjing, GB21, located on the shoulder; press with three fingers, the depression where the middle finger sinks is the acupoint). It then turns back and emerges posterior to the Shaoyang meridian (at the location of Bingfeng), enters the supraclavicular fossa (Quepen).

A branch arises from behind the ear (at the location of Yifeng, TE17), enters the ear, exits anterior to the ear (Tinghui, GB2), and reaches the post-auricular region (Tongziliao, GB1). Another branch diverges from the outer canthus, descends to Daying (ST5), meets the Hand-Shaoyang meridian, descends over Jiache (ST6), goes down the neck, joins the supraclavicular fossa, descends into the chest, penetrates the diaphragm, connects with the Liver, and belongs to the Gallbladder (below Qimen, down to Riyue, GB24, thus belonging to the Gallbladder). It follows along the interior of the hypochondrium (Zhangmen, LR13), emerges at the Qi Street (inguinal artery pulsation point), circles around the pubic hair margin, and transversely enters the hip joint (Biyan, i.e., Bitu, Huantiao, GB30).

The main trunk descends from the supraclavicular fossa into the axilla, follows the chest (Yuanli, GB22), passes below the costal margin (the area below the ribs is the Ji Xie, where Jingmen, GB25, etc., are located), joins the Biyan, and descends along the lateral aspect of the thigh (Zhongdu, GB31, etc.), emerges at the lateral side of the knee (Yanglingquan, GB34), descends anterior to the fibula (Yangjiao, GB35, etc.), goes straight down to the end of the Juegu (above the lateral malleolus), emerges anterior to the lateral malleolus (Qiuxu, GB40), follows the dorsum of the foot (Linqi, GB41, etc.), and enters between the fourth and fifth toes (Guilin, GB44). A branch diverges from the dorsum of the foot (branching from Linqi), enters the big toe, follows the medial aspect of the interosseous space, emerges at its tip (tip of the big toe), returns and penetrates the nail bed, emerging at the trichiasis (hair tuft) (the bone behind the base of the big toe is the interosseous space; the hair behind the nail is the trichiasis; here it intersects with the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian).

I note: The Gallbladder meridian originates at the outer canthus, ascends to the head corner, and descends behind the ear; there is no mention of tortuous paths. Bo Ren, in *Fourteen Meridians Exposition*, states that the Foot-Shaoyang meridian starts at the outer canthus to Wanggu (one turn), then from Wanggu to Jingming (another turn), and from Jingming to Fengchi (yet another turn). Thus, the *Nei Jing* treats these tortuous paths as straight lines. If we follow the *Nei Jing*'s description of straight lines, the twenty acupoints on the head cannot be accommodated; if we follow Bo Ren's three turns, the points can be placed, but this seems to contradict the classical intent. This is what I do not understand, awaiting correction by experts.