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Difficulty 26 states: There are twelve primary meridians (Jing) and fifteen collaterals (Luo). What are the three extra collaterals? The answer is: there is the collateral of Yang Qiao, the collateral of Yin Qiao, and the great collateral of the Spleen. The "Yang collateral" refers to the collateral of the Yang Qiao meridian; the "Yin collateral" refers to the collateral of the Yin Qiao meridian; thus, there are fifteen collaterals in total.

Hua Shou (Master Hua) stated: Those that run straight are called meridians (Jing), while those that branch off are called collaterals (Luo). Meridians are like the main streams of the Yangtze and Han rivers, whereas collaterals are like the tributaries such as the Tuo and Qian rivers. Each meridian has a collateral; therefore, the twelve primary meridians have twelve collaterals. For instance, the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian belongs to the Lung and connects with the Large Intestine, while the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian belongs to the Large Intestine and connects with the Lung, and so on. The statement that there are fifteen collaterals arises because there are the collateral of Yang Qiao, the collateral of Yin Qiao, and the great collateral of the Spleen. As mentioned in Difficulty 28, Yang Qiao and Yin Qiao are considered collaterals because the Extraordinary Vessels are not constrained by the twelve primary meridians, so it is acceptable to refer to them directly as collaterals. The great collateral of the Spleen is named Dabao (SP21), originating three cun below Yuanli (GB24), distributing across the chest and hypochondrium, with its pulsation visible through clothing, representing the gathering point of Zong Qi (Pectoral Qi). Chen from Siming stated: The collateral of Yang Qiao governs all yang collaterals, and the collateral of Yin Qiao governs all yin collaterals. The great collateral of the Spleen further commands both yin and yang collaterals, due to the Spleen's ability to irrigate and nourish the five zang organs.

Difficulty 29 asks: How do diseases of the extraordinary vessels manifest? The answer is: Yang Wei (Yang Linking Vessel) links the yang meridians, and Yin Wei (Yin Linking Vessel) links the yin meridians. If yin and yang cannot mutually link, one feels despondent and loses spirit, and the body becomes flaccid and unable to control itself. When Yang Wei is diseased, the patient suffers from alternating chills and fever. When Yin Wei is diseased, the patient suffers from heart pain. When Yin Qiao is diseased, the yang side is flaccid while the yin side is tense; when Yang Qiao is diseased, the yin side is flaccid while the yang side is tense. When Chong (Penetrating Vessel) is diseased, there is rebellious qi and abdominal tension. When Du (Governing Vessel) is diseased, there is stiffness of the spine and cold extremities (jue). When Ren (Conception Vessel) is diseased, there is internal knotting; in men, this manifests as seven types of hernia (Qi Shen); in women, it manifests as mass accumulation (Jia Ju). When Dai (Belt Vessel) is diseased, there is abdominal fullness, and the waist feels weak and flaccid, as if sitting in water. These are the diseases of the eight extraordinary vessels.

Hua Shou (Master Hua) stated: This passage discusses diseases of the extraordinary vessels. If Yin Wei cannot link the yin, there is despondency; if Yang Wei cannot link the yang, there is flaccidity and lack of self-control. Yang Wei travels through the yang meridians and governs Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). Since Wei Qi is qi and resides in the exterior, disease here manifests as chills and fever. Yin Wei travels through the yin meridians and governs Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). Since Ying Qi is blood and blood is associated with the Heart, disease here manifests as heart pain. Diseases of the two Qiao vessels: if affecting yang, yang becomes tense; if affecting yin, yin becomes tense. The affected side becomes tense, while the unaffected side remains relaxed. The Chong vessel rises from Guanyuan (CV4) to the throat, hence rebellious qi and abdominal tension. The Du vessel runs along the back, hence spinal stiffness and jue. The Ren vessel originates at the Bao Men (uterus/womb) and runs along the abdomen, hence internal knotting, hernia in men, and masses in women. The Dai vessel encircles the body once, hence these symptoms; "rong rong" describes a state of weakness. All these descriptions are based on the pathways traversed by the respective meridians. From Difficulty 27 to here, the principles are interconnected and should be studied comprehensively.