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Chapter 27 states: There are the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) among the pulses; why are they not restricted to the Twelve Regular Meridians (Shi Er Jing)? The answer is: There is the Yang Linking Vessel (Yang Wei Mai), the Yin Linking Vessel (Yin Wei Mai), the Yang Heel Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai), the Yin Heel Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai), the Chong Vessel (Chong Mai), the Du Vessel (Du Mai), the Ren Vessel (Ren Mai), and the Dai Vessel (Dai Mai). All these eight vessels are not constrained by the regular meridians, hence they are called the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.

Hua Shou (Master Hua) says: Pulses have normal and extraordinary aspects. The Twelve Regular Meridians are the normal pulses; the Eight Extraordinary Vessels are not constrained by the Twelve Regular Meridians, hence they are called "Extraordinary." "Extraordinary" (Qi) is relative to "Regular" (Zheng), just as in military strategy one speaks of "Unorthodox" (Qi) and "Orthodox" (Zheng). Yu Shu (Master Yu) says: "Qi" means surplus or odd, implying non-pairing. It means these eight vessels do not attach to the Yin-Yang of the regular meridians, lack interior-exterior pairing, follow a separate and unusual path, hence they are called Extraordinary Vessels. Among these eight vessels, the Du Vessel governs the posterior aspect, the Ren Vessel governs the anterior aspect, the Chong Vessel is the Sea of all Yang Vessels, the Yin and Yang Linking Vessels link and network the body, the Dai Vessel binds like a belt, the Yang Heel Vessel derives from the branch of the Taiyang Vessel, and the Yin Heel Vessel originates from the branch of the Shaoyin Vessel.

There are twelve meridians and fifteen collaterals, totaling twenty-seven Qi flows moving up and down together. Why are [the Extraordinary Vessels] uniquely not constrained by the meridians? The answer is: Sages planned and dug channels to facilitate water flow, preparing for unforeseen circumstances. When heavy rain falls and channels overflow, causing floods, even a sage cannot redesign them at that moment. This is analogous to collateral vessels becoming full and overflowing; the regular meridians can no longer constrain them.

Hua Shou says: The flow of meridians and collaterals has fixed degrees/rhythms, but the Eight Extraordinary Vessels do not follow this pattern. Thus, the analogy of sages digging channels is used to show that when collateral vessels overflow, regular meridians cannot constrain them, thereby forming these Extraordinary Vessels. Are the Extraordinary Vessels formed by the overflow of collateral vessels? Or does the term "collateral vessels" here refer specifically to the Extraordinary Vessels? Since they are not constrained by regular meridians, they could directly be called collateral vessels. These two sections of the chapter list the names of the eight vessels and explain why they are considered Extraordinary Vessels.

Chapter 28 states: Regarding the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, since they are not constrained by the Twelve Regular Meridians, where do they originate and where do they connect? The answer is: The Du Vessel originates at the Xiaji acupoint (Xiaji Zhi Shu), runs parallel within the spinal column, ascends to the Fengfu acupoint (Fengfu), and enters to connect with the brain. The Ren Vessel originates below the Zhongji acupoint (Zhongji Zhi Xia), ascends above the pubic hairline, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan acupoint (Guanyuan), and reaches the throat. The Chong Vessel originates at the Qichong acupoint (Qichong), runs alongside the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, ascends flanking the navel, and disperses in the chest. The Dai Vessel originates at the hypochondriac region (Ji Xie), circles around the body once. The Yang Heel Vessel originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the lateral malleolus, and enters the Fengchi acupoint (Fengchi). The Yin Heel Vessel also originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the medial malleolus to the throat, and intersects with the Chong Vessel. The Yang Linking Vessel and Yin Linking Vessel link and network the body; when Qi and Blood overflow and accumulate, they cannot circulate and irrigate the regular meridians. Therefore, the Yang Linking Vessel originates at the meeting point of all Yang meridians, and the Yin Linking Vessel originates at the intersection of all Yin meridians. This is comparable to sages planning channels; when channels overflow, water flows into deep lakes, which sages cannot forcibly regulate. Similarly, when human blood vessels become vigorous, they enter the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and do not circulate continuously. Thus, the Twelve Regular Meridians cannot constrain them. If affected by pathogenic factors, stagnation leads to swelling and heat, which should be treated with bian stone (stone lancet) pricking to release blood.

Hua Shou says: Following the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic), "originates" is written as "connects." "Du" means capital or gathering place; it is the Sea of Yang Vessels and thus serves as the general framework for Yang Vessels. Its pulse originates at the Xiaji acupoint, passes through the Huiyin acupoint (Huiyin) and Changqiang acupoint (Changqiang), follows the midline of the spine to the Dazhui acupoint (Dazhui), intersecting with the Hand and Foot Three-Yang meridians. It ascends to the Yamen acupoint (Yamen), meeting the Yang Linking Vessel; to the Baihui acupoint (Baihui), meeting the Taiyang Vessel; descends to the Renzhong acupoint (Renzhong), meeting the Yangming Vessel. The Ren Vessel originates at the Qugu acupoint (Qu Gu) below the Zhongji acupoint. "Ren" is homophonous with "Ren" (pregnancy/nurturing); it is the root of human reproduction and nourishment. The Chong Vessel originates at the Qichong acupoint (Qichong) and disperses in the chest, serving as the Sea of Yin Vessels. The *Neijing* states it runs alongside the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. According to records, the Chong Vessel ascends through the Youmen and Tonggu acupoints, both belonging to the Shaoyin channel; thus, we should follow the *Neijing*. These three vessels (Du, Ren, Chong) all originate at the Huiyin acupoint, sharing one source but branching into three. The Dai Vessel originates one cun and eight fen below the hypochondriac region, circling the body like a belt. The Yang Heel Vessel originates at the Shenmai acupoint (Shenmai) in the heel and runs along the lateral malleolus. The Yin Heel Vessel also originates in the heel at the Zhaohai acupoint (Zhaohai) and runs along the medial malleolus. "Qiao" means agile; since these two vessels originate from the feet, they take on the meaning of agility and leaping. The Yang Linking Vessel and Yin Linking Vessel link and network the body, serving as the framework for Yin and Yang. The points issued by the Yang Linking Vessel include Jinqiao (Jinmen), primarily Yangjiao (Yangjiao), meeting the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Heel Vessels at Geshu (Geshu); meeting the Hand and Foot Shaoyang at Tianliao (Tianliao) and Huanghai (Huanghai); meeting the Foot-Shaoyang at Yangbai (Yangbai); ascending to Benshen (Benshen), Toulinqi (Toulinqi), Zhengying (Zhengying), and Naokong (Naokong); descending to Fengchi (Fengchi); and meeting the Du Vessel at Fengfu (Fengfu). This is how the Yang Linking Vessel originates at the meeting of all Yang meridians. The primary point of the Yin Linking Vessel is Zhubin (Zhubin), meeting the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian at Fuai (Fuai) and Daheng (Daheng); again meeting the Foot-Taiyin and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridians at Fushé (Fushé) and Qimen (Qimen); and again meeting the Ren Vessel at Tiantu (Tiantu) and Lianquan (Lianquan). This is how the Yin Linking Vessel originates at the intersection of all Yin meridians. The phrase "overflowing and accumulating, unable to circulate and irrigate the regular meridians" (12 characters) should logically follow "the Twelve Regular Meridians also cannot constrain them," so there is no gap here, and they align with the previous context. Regarding the 12 characters "affected by pathogenic factors...," Master Xie believed there might be missing text above and below, but the *Mai Jing* lacks this, suggesting it may be an interpolations (extraneous text). Some say it should be placed after Chapter 37's statement about "Guan Ge preventing the completion of life leading to death," relating to pathogens in the Six Fu Organs.