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The six Yang meridians of the hand extend from the hand to the head, each measuring five chi. In total, six times five equals thirty chi, or three zhang.
The six Yin meridians of the hand extend from the chest to the hand, each measuring three chi and five cun. Six times three equals eighteen chi; adding three chi (derived from the calculation context), the total is two zhang and one chi.
The six Yang meridians of the foot extend from the head to the foot, each measuring eight chi. Six times eight equals forty-eight chi, or four zhang and eight chi.
The six Yin meridians of the foot extend from the foot into the abdomen, each measuring six chi and five cun. Six times six equals thirty-six chi; adding three chi, the total is three zhang and nine chi.
The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) each measure four chi and five cun, totaling nine chi.
The two Qiao Mai (Yin and Yang Heel Vessels) extend from the foot to the eye, each measuring seven chi and five cun, totaling one zhang and five chi.
The combined length of the fourteen meridians is sixteen zhang and two chi; these are the major pathways through which Qi circulates.

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian begins at Zhongfu (LU-1) and ends at Shaoshang (LU-11); the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian begins at Shangyang (LI-1) and ends at Yingxiang (LI-20); the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian begins at Touwei (ST-8) and ends at Lidui (ST-45); the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian begins at Yinbai (SP-1) and ends at Dabao (SP-21); the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian begins at Jiquan (HT-1) and ends at Shaochong (HT-9); the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian begins at Shaoze (SI-1) and ends at Tinggong (SI-19); the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian begins at Jingming (BL-1) and ends at Zhiyin (BL-67); the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian begins at Yongquan (KI-1) and ends at Yufu (KI-27); the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian begins at Tianchi (PC-1); the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian begins at Guanchong (TE-1) and ends at Ermen (TE-21); the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian begins at Tongziliao (GB-1) and ends at Qiaoyin (GB-11); the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian begins at Dadun (LR-1) and ends at Qimen (LR-14). This is the song describing the beginning and ending points of acupoints in the twelve meridians; students should memorize it thoroughly.

The *Neijing* states: The Lung is like the official of the prime minister, responsible for regulating the body's functions.
The Lung is the root of Qi and the residence of Po (Corporeal Soul). Its brilliance manifests in the hair, and its essence nourishes the skin. It belongs to Taiyin within Yang and corresponds to the Qi of Autumn.
The West corresponds to the color white, internally connecting with the Lung, opening into the nose, and storing essence in the Lung; therefore, diseases manifest in the back. Its flavor is pungent, its element is Metal, its associated animal is the horse, its grain is rice, and it corresponds to the season of Autumn. In the heavens, it corresponds to the planet Venus (Tai Bai). Thus, one can know that disease resides in the skin and hair. Its musical note is Shang, its number is nine, its odor is fishy, and its fluid is nasal discharge.
The West generates Dryness; Dryness generates Metal; Metal generates Pungency; Pungency nourishes the Lung; the Lung nourishes the skin and hair; the skin and hair nourish the Kidney. The Lung governs the nose. In Heaven, it is Dryness; in Earth, it is Metal; in the body, it is skin and hair; in the zang-fu organs, it is the Lung; in sound, it is weeping; in pathological change, it is cough; in emotion, it is sorrow. Sorrow damages the Lung; Joy overcomes Sorrow. Heat damages the skin and hair; Cold overcomes Heat. Pungency damages the skin and hair; Bitterness overcomes Pungency.