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The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates from the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner). It descends to connect with the Large Intestine, exits at the贲门 (cardia), ascends through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Lung. From the lung system (trachea, larynx, and tissues connected to the lung), it emerges horizontally from the axilla, running along the anterior aspect of the medial side of the elbow and arm, passing through the Cun Kou (radial pulse) point, and reaching the Yu Ji (LU10) point on the thenar eminence.

When pathogenic factors affect the Lung meridian, lung distension occurs with a feeling of fullness in the chest and pain in the Que Pen (CV15) area. Crossing both hands over the chest indicates Bi Jue (Arm Reversal Syndrome). Diseases generated by this meridian mainly involve Qi rebellion and coughing, wheezing, coughing, irritability, chest fullness, and pain along the anterior lateral aspect of the arm. Frequent urination and heat in the palm are also symptoms. When Lung Qi is deficient, there is cold pain in the shoulder and back; when Lung Qi is excessive, there is pain, aversion to wind, and sweating. Yawning, shortness of breath, insufficient respiration, involuntary urination or seminal emission, and reddish urine may occur.

The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian begins at Shang Yang (LI1) on the radial side of the index finger. It follows the finger upwards, connects to He Gu (LI4), runs between the two tendons and the divergent bones along the forearm, enters the lateral aspect of the elbow, and follows the lateral aspect of the upper arm. It circles around the lips, crosses at Ren Zhong (GV26), and intersects with the contralateral meridian. It ascends flanking the nostrils and pours into Ying Xiang (LI20). In this meridian, when Qi is excessive, Blood is also excessive. Changes in the meridian cause facial swelling and toothache. Diseases generated by this meridian include rhinitis, epistaxis, yellow eyes, dry mouth, bi syndrome of the throat, difficulty in using the thumb and index finger, and successive pain in the anterior lateral shoulder. Excess Qi leads to hot and swollen meridians; deficiency leads to chills and worsening of the disease.

The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian begins at the side of the nose. It descends along the lateral side of the nose into the upper teeth, emerges again, surrounds the mouth, and winds around Cheng Jiang (CV24). It goes behind the chin to Da Ying (ST5) and Jia Che (ST6). It ascends to the hairline in front of the ear and reaches the forehead.

From Pi Guan (ST31), it descends to the patella. A branch descends along the lateral aspect of the leg to Nei Guan (ST36) near the middle toe. Another branch descends to San Li (ST36) below the knee. The anterior branch emerges laterally from the middle toe. Another branch branches off to the dorsum of the foot and toes. The meridian ends at the tip of the big toe. This meridian has abundant Qi and Blood. Changes in the meridian cause yawning, dark complexion, shivering aversion to cold, fear of people, and sudden startle upon hearing wooden sounds. Climbing high and singing, discarding clothes and running, abdominal distension with borborygmi are possible. All these diseases belong to Ni Jue (Rebellious Qi Reversal Syndrome). Diseases generated by this meridian include mania, malaria, sweating and epistaxis due to warm pathogens, cracked lips, sore throat, knee and patella pain, abdominal distension and stagnation. Pain in Qi Ying, Fu Tu, and the lateral aspect of the leg extends to the dorsum of the foot and middle toe. Excess Qi leads to rapid digestion and yellow urine; deficiency leads to cold and trembling in the anterior body. Fullness in the stomach chamber and indigestion occur. Excess Qi causes heat in the anterior body.

The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian begins at the big toe. It ascends along the medial white flesh margin. Behind the nuclear bone (medial malleolus) and before the inner ankle, it ascends along the medial tibia and knee. It enters the abdomen along the anterior medial thigh.

Vomiting immediately after eating and epigastric pain occur. Accompanied by body pain that is difficult to move. Abdominal distension, frequent belching, and a stiff tongue base are present. Symptoms alleviate after defecation or passing gas. Diseases generated by this meridian include tongue pain. Heavy body and anorexia are similar. Irritability and urgent pain in the heart region occur. Watery diarrhea, loose stools, masses, and cold malaria follow. Inability to lie down, swelling of thighs and knees when standing forcibly, jaundice with yellow skin, and atrophy of the big toe appear.

The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates in the heart. It descends through the diaphragm and directly communicates with the Small Intestine. A branch returns from the lung system, ascends to the throat, and connects to the eye system. The main trunk ascends to the lung and emerges from the axilla.

Thirst with desire to drink water and dry throat occur. Diseases generated by this meridian include hypochondriac pain, eyes like gold (jaundice), and pain along the posterior medial aspect of the hypochondrium and arm. Heat in the palm should be sought in this meridian.

The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian begins at Shao Ze (SI1) on the ulnar side of the little finger. It follows the lateral side of the hand, emerges from the wrist, follows the ulnar bone out of the medial elbow, and ascends along the posterior lateral aspect of the elbow and upper arm.

It reaches the outer canthus, enters the ear, ascends from the front of the ear to the cheek, reaches the lateral nose, and arrives at the inner canthus. It obliquely connects to the zygomatic bone and interconnects via collateral vessels. This meridian has little Qi and much Blood. Changes in the meridian cause pain in the pharynx and larynx. Swelling under the mandible prevents turning the head. Shoulder pain feels like being pulled, and elbow pain feels like breaking. Diseases generated by this meridian primarily involve shoulder pain, deafness, yellow eyes, and swelling of the cheeks. Pain in the posterior lateral aspect of the elbow and arm requires careful differentiation.

The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian begins at the inner canthus and ascends to the vertex. A branch goes from the vertex to the ear angle. The main trunk hangs down from the vertex behind the neck. It connects to the brain, emerges, and descends separately to the nape. It follows the shoulders and flanks the spine. It reaches the lower back, connects to the kidneys, and belongs to the bladder. One branch connects with the anterior and posterior orifices. It penetrates the buttocks and enters the Wei Zhong (BL40) acupoint obliquely. Another branch separates left and right within the arm. It penetrates the scapula, flanks the spine, passes through the hip pivot. They meet in the posterior medial aspect of the buttock. It descends through the medial and lateral malleoli. Below Jing Gu (BL64), it reaches the lateral side of the foot. This meridian has much Blood and little Qi. Changes in the meridian cause unbearable headache. Neck stiffness like pulling, lumbar pain like breaking, and pain in the hip pivot extending to the central spine occur. Pain feels like binding or tearing. This is Huo Jue (Ankle Reversal) with tendon injury. Diseases generated by this meridian include malaria, hemorrhoids, useless little toe, vertex and neck pain, yellow eyes, low back and calf pain connecting to the back, tearing, epistaxis, and epilepsy.

The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian belongs to the Shaoyin. It slants from the little toe towards Yong Quan (KI1). Below Ran Gu (KI2) and behind the medial malleolus, it enters the heel and invades inward. Emerging from the medial aspect of the lower leg, it ascends along the medial thigh.

This meridian has abundant Qi and little Blood. Changes in the meridian cause hunger without desire to eat, wheezing, coughing, spitting blood, and humming in the throat. Sitting up but wanting to rise, dirty-looking face, blurred vision, and Qi deficiency occur. The heart feels empty like hunger and constantly startled. Diseases generated by this meridian include dry tongue, hot mouth, sore throat, and forced Qi. Pain in the posterior medial thigh and spine, irritability, chest pain, jaundice, atrophy, reversal, lethargy, and body fatigue occur. Heat and pain in the soles are all Kidney Reversal.

The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the chest. It belongs to the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, and connects to the Triple Energizer. A branch follows the chest and emerges from the hypochondrium. Connecting to the axilla three cun away, it ascends to the axilla along the medial aspect, between the Taiyin and Shaoyin meridians. The fingertip penetrates Zhong Chong (PC9). A branch connects to the index and middle fingers. This meridian has little Qi and originally much Blood. Changes in the meridian cause heat in the palm. Spasm and stiffness of the elbow and arm, axillary swelling, and severe chest and hypochondriac fullness occur. Palpitations or strong beating, excessive laughter, yellow eyes, and red face appear. Diseases generated by this meridian include irritability and heart pain with heat in the palm.

The Hand-Shaoyang Triple Energizer Meridian begins at the tip of the ring finger. Between the divergent bones of the two fingers on the dorsal wrist, it ascends between the two bones of the forearm. Posterior to the elbow, it follows the lateral shoulder. Bending down to the chin, it pours into the cheek. One branch exits the ear and enters the front of the ear. It crosses from Shang Guan (TE17) to the curved jaw. It ends at the outer canthus. This meridian has little Blood and more Qi. Changes in the meridian cause tinnitus, swollen throat, and bi syndrome. Diseases generated by this meridian include spontaneous sweating. Pain behind the ear and outer canthus, shoulder, elbow, and arm pain occur. The ring and middle fingers may become useless.

The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian begins at the outer canthus. It reaches the head, follows the angle, and descends behind the ear. Na Kong (GB18) and Feng Chi (GB20) follow in order. The Hand-Shaoyang meridian reaches the shoulder. Descending to Jia Che (ST6) and Que Pen (SI12), it combines. Entering the chest, piercing the diaphragm, it connects to the Liver meridian. Belonging to the Gallbladder, it passes through the hypochondrium. Descending to Qi Chong (ST30) and the pubic hair region, it enters horizontally into Bi Yan (GB29) at the hip depression. The straight branch descends from Que Pen to the axilla and chest. Passing the costal margin and inside the hip depression, it emerges at the lateral aspect of the knee as Yang Ling Quan (GB34). It passes the lateral fibular head and anterior ankle. It divides at the dorsum of the foot between the fourth and fifth toes. One branch departs from the big toe. At the nail corner, it connects to the Liver meridian. This meridian has abundant Qi and little Blood. Changes in the meridian cause bitter taste and frequent sighing. Chest and hypochondriac pain difficult to shift, dusty complexion, hot feet, and lack of luster occur. Diseases generated by this meridian include headache connecting to the outer canthus, swelling and pain in the supraclavicular fossa and both axillae, Dao Dao and Jia Ying (scrofula) on both sides, sweating with chills and malaria. Pain extends from the chest, hypochondrium, thigh, and knee to the calf. Pain in the fibular head, ankle, and various joints occurs.

The Jueyin Foot Meridian ends with the Liver. At the tip of the big toe among the hairs, it divides at Tai Chong (LR3) on the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the foot. Entering Zhong Feng (LR4) one cun anterior to the ankle, it ascends the ankle and crosses behind the Taiyin meridian. The meridian ascends to the vertex and meets the Du Meridian. A branch generates from the eye system. Descending to connect with the cheeks and lips, another branch connects from the diaphragm to the lung. This meridian has much Blood and little Qi. Changes in the meridian cause lower back pain with difficulty in bending and stretching. Hernia in men and lower abdominal swelling in women occur. Dusty complexion, loss of color, and dry throat appear. Diseases generated by this meridian include chest fullness. Vomiting, profuse diarrhea, and difficult urination occur. Involuntary urination and fox hernia may happen. Clinical diagnosis requires careful observation.