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Chapter 29 asks: What are the pathologies of the extraordinary vessels?
The response is: Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links the yang meridians, and Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links the yin meridians. If yin and yang cannot mutually link each other, one will feel despondent and lose willpower, with a body that is lax and floating, unable to control or hold itself steady. When Yang Wei Mai is diseased, the suffering is primarily chills and fever; when Yin Wei Mai is diseased, the suffering is primarily heart pain. When Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) is diseased, the exterior is flaccid while the interior is tense. When Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel) is diseased, the interior is flaccid while the exterior is tense. When Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is diseased, there is rebellious qi and internal urgency. When Du Mai (Governing Vessel) is diseased, there is stiffness of the spine and cold extremities. When Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is diseased, there is internal knotting; in men, it manifests as seven types of hernia (Qi Shen); in women, it manifests as mass formations (Jia Ju). When Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) is diseased, there is abdominal fullness, and the waist feels lax as if sitting in water. These are the pathologies of the eight extraordinary vessels.

This section clarifies the conditions of the eight extraordinary vessels. Yang Wei Mai links the yang, and Yin Wei Mai links the yin; if yin and yang cannot mutually link, one becomes despondent and loses willpower, with unclear mental thoughts. "Rong Rong" describes a state of laxity and floating, meaning slow and unable to self-control. Yang governs the defensive aspect; disharmony of yang qi leads to chills and fever. Yin blood transforms from the Shaoyin Heart meridian; obstruction of yin qi leads to heart pain. Diseases of the two Qiao vessels: if the disease is in yang, the yang meridians become knotted and tense; if in yin, the yin meridians become knotted and tense. The affected area is tense, while the unaffected area remains relaxed. Chong Mai originates at Qichong (ST30) and ascends to the chest; its pathology involves rebellious qi and abdominal urgency. The reason for pathogenic invasion is often insufficient kidney qi allowing pathogens to interfere. Du Mai runs along the back; when invaded by pathogens, the pathology is necessarily spinal pain and cold extremities. Ren Mai originates at the womb gate and runs along the abdomen; thus, knotting of its vessel leads to diseases like seven hernias and mass formations. Dai Mai encircles the waist and abdomen horizontally; therefore, its disease causes abdominal fullness, a waist feeling lax as if sitting in water, loose and unretracted, accompanied by aversion to cold. Saying "these are the pathologies of the eight extraordinary vessels" serves to summarize the essentials of diagnosis mentioned above.

Note: Meridians are the pathways for zang-fu organs and qi-blood. If pathogens stagnate within them, diseases arise. Chapter 7 of this text specifically discusses meridians; why does it detail the extraordinary vessels while briefly mentioning the regular meridians? This seems incomplete. Now, following the *Ling Shu · Jing Mai* chapter, I record their origins and endings, indicating the paths traversed by the meridians to elucidate the traces of qi and blood, thereby knowing which meridian the disease originates from, avoiding the error of touching an elephant in the dark [having a partial view].

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian begins in the middle jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, returns to follow the stomach opening, passes through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Lung. From the lung system, it emerges horizontally under the axilla, follows the medial aspect of the upper arm down to the elbow, follows the medial aspect of the forearm to the Cun Kou pulse point, ascends to the Thenar eminence, and exits at the tip of the thumb. Its branch arises from behind the wrist, goes straight out to the medial side of the index finger, and exits at its tip. The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is exterior-interior related to the Lung. Its pulse originates at the tip of the index finger, follows the lateral edge of the finger, emerges between the two bones at Hegu (LI4), enters between the two tendons, follows the lateral edge of the forearm, enters the lateral aspect of the elbow, ascends along the lateral aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder, emerges anterior to the clavicle, reaches the Dazhui (GV14) intersection on the upper back and shoulders, then descends into the Quepen (ST12) fossa, connects with the Lung, passes through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Large Intestine. Its branch rises from Quepen, goes up the neck, pierces the cheek, enters the lower teeth, returns to cross at the philtrum, and ascends to flank the nostrils.

The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates at the nose, crosses at the nasal root, follows the lateral side of the nose under the eye, enters the upper teeth, returns to flank the mouth and circle the lips, descends to intersect at Chengjiang (CV24), then follows the posterior mandible, emerges at Daying (ST5), follows Jiache (ST6), ascends anterior to the ear, passes through Tinggong (SI19)/Guest Master, follows the hairline, and reaches the forehead. Its branch descends from anterior to Daying, passes Yingchang (ST9), follows the throat, enters Quepen, passes through the diaphragm, belongs to the Stomach, and connects with the Spleen. Its direct line descends from Quepen along the medial aspect of the breast, flanks the umbilicus, and enters the Qijie region. Another branch originates from the lower opening of the stomach, follows inside the abdomen to Qijie, where it merges with the direct line. It descends below Biguan (ST31), reaches Futu (ST32), descends to the patella, follows the lateral edge of the tibia, descends to the foot dorsum, and enters the space between the toes of the second toe. Another branch separates three cun below the knee, descending to the lateral space of the second toe. Yet another branch separates from the foot dorsum, enters the space between the big toe, and exits at its tip.

The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is exterior-interior related to the Stomach. Its pulse originates at the tip of the big toe, follows the medial white flesh margin, passes posterior to the medial malleolus bone, ascends anterior to the medial malleolus, reaches the medial aspect of the lower leg, follows posterior to the tibia, ascends to the anterior medial aspect of the knee and thigh, enters the abdomen, belongs to the Spleen, and connects with the Stomach. It ascends through the diaphragm, flanks the pharynx, connects to the root of the tongue, and scatters under the tongue. Its branch separates from the stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart.

The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates in the Heart, emerges to belong to the Heart system, descends through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine. Its branch ascends from the Heart system, flanks the pharynx, and connects to the Eye System. Its direct line retreats from the Heart system, ascends to the Lung, emerges under the axilla, follows the posterior medial aspect of the upper arm, descends to the medial elbow, follows the posterior medial aspect of the forearm to the end of the sharp bone at the wrist, enters the posterior medial palm, follows the medial side of the little finger, and exits at its tip. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian is exterior-interior related to the Heart. Its pulse originates at the tip of the little finger, follows the lateral hand up to the wrist, emerges at the ankle, goes straight up along the lateral edge of the arm bone, emerges between the two tendons at the medial elbow, ascends along the posterior lateral aspect of the upper arm, emerges from the shoulder joint, winds around the scapula, intersects at the shoulders, enters Quepen, connects with the Heart, follows the pharynx, descends through the diaphragm, reaches the Stomach, and belongs to the Small Intestine. Its branch rises from Quepen along the neck to the cheek, reaches the outer canthus, yet enters the ear. Another branch separates from the cheek, ascends to the nasal root, reaches the outer canthus, and obliquely connects to the zygomatic arch.

The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates at the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead, and intersects at the vertex. Its branch goes from the vertex to the upper angle of the ear. Its direct line enters from the vertex to connect with the brain, returns and descends separately from the nape, follows the medial aspect of the scapula, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters to follow the paraspinal muscles, connects with the Kidney, and belongs to the Bladder. Its branch descends from the middle of the waist, flanks the spine, penetrates the buttocks, and enters the popliteal fossa. Another branch separates from the popliteal fossa, descends laterally, penetrates the scapula, flanks the spine internally, passes the hip pivot, follows the lateral thigh, and merges with the popliteal fossa from the posterior margin. It descends through the calf muscle, emerges posterior to the lateral malleolus, follows Jinggu (BL64), and reaches the lateral side of the little toe. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is exterior-interior related to the Bladder. Its pulse originates below the little toe,斜 walks to the sole of the foot, emerges below Rangu (KI2), follows posterior to the medial malleolus, separates to enter the heel, and ascends along the medial aspect of the calf. Emerging from the medial aspect of the lower leg, it ascends along the posterior medial thigh, penetrates the spine, belongs to the Kidney, and connects with the Bladder. Its direct line ascends from the Kidney, penetrates the Liver and diaphragm, enters the Lung, follows the throat, and flanks the root of the tongue. Its branch emerges from the Lung, connects with the Heart, and pours into the chest.

The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the chest, emerges to belong to the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm to sequentially connect with the Sanjiao. Its branch follows the chest out to the hypochondrium, descends three cun under the axilla, ascends to the axilla, follows the medial aspect of the upper arm, descends to the elbow midpoint, descends along the forearm between the two tendons, enters the palm, follows the middle finger to its tip. Another branch separates from the palm, follows the ring finger to its tip. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian is exterior-interior related to the Pericardium. Its pulse originates at the tip of the ring finger, ascends out between the two fingers, follows the dorsal wrist, emerges between the two bones of the forearm, ascends through the elbow, follows the lateral aspect of the upper arm, ascends to the shoulder, enters Quepen, distributes in Danzhong (CV17), scatters to connect with the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, and sequentially belongs to the Sanjiao. Its branch rises from Danzhong, emerges from Quepen, ascends the neck, ties behind the ear, goes straight up to the upper angle of the ear, descends the cheek to the infraorbital region. Another branch enters the ear from behind, exits anterior to the ear, passes anterior to Tinggong (SI19), crosses the cheek, and reaches the outer canthus.

The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian originates at the outer canthus, ascends to the head corner, descends behind the ear, follows the neck, reaches the shoulder, and enters Quepen. Its branch enters the ear from behind, exits anterior to the ear, and reaches posterior to the outer canthus. Another branch separates from the outer canthus, descends to Daying, merges with the Hand-Shaoyang meridian to reach the infraorbital region, descends to add to Jiache, reaches the neck, merges with Quepen, descends to the chest, penetrates the diaphragm, connects with the Liver, and belongs to the Gallbladder. It follows the interior of the hypochondrium, emerges at Qijie, circles the pubic hair, and transversely enters the hip joint. Its direct line descends from Quepen under the axilla, follows the chest, passes the costal margin, and descends to merge with the hip joint. It descends along the lateral thigh, emerges at the lateral knee, reaches anterior to the fibular head, goes straight down to the end of Juegu, emerges anterior to the lateral malleolus, follows the foot dorsum, and enters the space between the fourth and fifth toes. Its branch separates from the foot dorsum, enters the space between the big toe, follows the bifurcation of the big toe internally, and exits at its tip. It returns to penetrate the nail bed and emerges at the tuft of hair.

The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is exterior-interior related to the Gallbladder. Its pulse originates at the tuft of hair on the big toe, ascends along the lateral margin of the foot dorsum, one cun from the medial malleolus, ascends eight cun above the ankle, passes posterior to the Foot-Taiyin meridian, ascends along the medial aspect of the lower leg, follows the medial thigh, enters the pubic region, passes the genitalia, reaches the lower abdomen, flanks the Stomach, belongs to the Liver, and connects with the Gallbladder. It ascends through the diaphragm, distributes in the hypochondrium, follows posterior to the throat, ascends to the nasopharynx, connects to the Eye System, ascends out to the forehead, and intersects with the Du Mai at the vertex. Its branch descends from the Eye System to the cheek interior, circles the interior of the lips. Another branch separates from the Liver, penetrates the diaphragm, and ascends to pour into the Lung. Descending to the Middle Jiao, it flanks the Zhongwan region, reconnects with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, merges with the Du and Ren Mai, completing the sixteen zhang and two chi meridian pathway, ending and restarting.

Above is Volume II, Chapters 23 to 29, discussing meridians.