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The Du Mai (Conception Vessel of the Back) originates from the central area below the lower abdomen and bones. In women, it enters and connects to the Ting Kong (Court Hole), which is the terminal end of the urinary orifice. Its collateral vessels follow the genitalia, converge at the Huiyin (Perineum), circle around the anus posteriorly, and merge with the collateral vessels of the Shaoyin (Kidney Meridian) and Juyang (Bladder Meridian). The Shaoyin ascends along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, and attaches to the Kidneys. It joins with the Taiyang (Bladder Meridian), which begins at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, crosses at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, emerges again, descends separately down the neck, follows the medial aspect of the scapula, runs alongside the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters internally to follow the paraspinal muscles and connect with the Kidneys. In men, it follows the penis downward to the perineum, identical to women. The straight branch rises directly from the Xiaji acupoint (Changqiang), passes through the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the heart into the throat, rises to the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to connect with the central point below both eyes. The Du Mai originates at the Xiaji acupoint, runs parallel within the spinal column, ascends to the Fengfu acupoint, enters the brain and reaches the vertex, follows the forehead to the nasal bridge, and is regarded as the Sea of Yang Vessels.

The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) both originate from the Baogong (Uterus/Womb), ascend within the spinal column, and serve as the Sea of Meridians and Collaterals. Their branches that float outwardly ascend along the right side of the abdomen, converge at the throat, and branch off to network the lips and mouth. When Qi and Blood are abundant, the muscles become hot; when Blood alone is excessive, it seeps into the skin, generating body hair. Women have an excess of Qi but a deficiency of Blood because their menstrual periods occur frequently, causing injury to both the Ren and Chong vessels. Since the intersecting vessels of Ren and Chong do not nourish the lips and mouth, facial hair does not grow. The Ren Mai originates below the Zhongji acupoint, ascends to the pubic hairline, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan acupoint, reaches the throat, and is regarded as the Sea of Yin Vessels. The Chong Mai and Ren Mai both originate from the Baogong, ascend along the spinal column, and are the Sea of Meridians and Collaterals. Their branches floating on the exterior ascend along the abdomen, converge at the throat, and branch off to network the lips and mouth. Additionally, the Chong Mai originates at the Qichong acupoint, runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) Meridian, ascends flanking the umbilicus, converges at the throat, and disperses in the chest.

The Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel) originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the lateral malleolus, and enters the Fengchi acupoint. The two Qiao vessels of the feet are originally divergent branches of the Taiyang (Bladder) Meridian. Why are they associated with Taiyang? For men, the Yang Qiao is counted; for women, the Yin Qiao is counted. The one counted is considered a Main Meridian (Jing), and the one not counted is considered a Collateral (Luo).

The Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the medial malleolus to the throat, and intersects with the Chong Mai. The Qiao vessel is a divergent branch of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) Meridian, originating behind the Ran Gu acupoint, ascending above the medial heel, going straight up along the medial thigh, entering the genital region, ascending along the interior of the chest, entering the Quepen acupoint, ascending anterior to the Yingxiang acupoint, entering the inner canthus of the eye, and merging with the Taiyang (Bladder) Meridian. For men, this is counted as a Main Meridian; for women, as a Collateral. The Xi-Cleft point of the Yin Qiao is located at the Jiaoxin acupoint.

The Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links the Yang meridians, originating at the convergence of all Yang meridians. Together with the Yin Wei Mai, it networks and links the entire body. The points where its Qi issues include Jinmen, with Yangjiao as its Xi-Cleft point. It converges with the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Qiao vessels at the Fufen acupoint, meets the Hand and Foot Shaoyang at the Tianliao acupoint, and also converges at the Jianjing acupoint. In the head, it meets the Foot-Shaoyang at the Yangbai acupoint, ascends to the Benshen and Zulinqi acupoints, continues to the Zhengying acupoint, follows the Naokong acupoint, and descends to the Fengchi acupoint. Its convergence with the Du Mai occurs at the Fengfu and Dazhui acupoints.

The Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links the Yin meridians, originating at the intersection of all Yin meridians. The Xi-Cleft point of the Yin Wei is named Zhubin. It converges with the Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) at the Fuai and Daheng acupoints, meets the Foot-Taiyin and Foot-Jueyin (Liver) at the Fushu and Qimen acupoints, and also converges with the Ren Mai at the Tiantu and Lianquan acupoints.

The Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) originates at the hypochondriac region, encircling the body once. The point where its Qi issues is 1.8 cun below the hypochondriac region, formally named Dai Mai, because it encircles the body like a belt. It also converges with the Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) at the Weidao acupoint.