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[Ping An Annotation]: This chapter appears in Volume 3, Chapter 10 "Jing Mai" (Meridians) of the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), and also in Volume 2, Part 1, Lower Section of the *Jia Yi Jing* (Classified Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) meridian is named Lieque (LI-4, actually LU-7). [Twelve regular meridians and eight extraordinary vessels combine to form twenty vessels, termed "Jing" (Vessels). Among these twenty vessels, the twelve regular meridians plus the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), and the large Luo of the Spleen constitute fourteen main meridians. Each of these fourteen emits a separate Luo vessel, forming fourteen Luros; additionally, the Spleen emits one more large Luo, totaling fifteen vessels, termed "Da Luo" (Great Luo). The Ren Mai, Chong Mai, and the Spleen's Da Luo merely scatter and connect; the remaining thirteen Luros emerge from their respective meridians, scatter and connect, then branch off to other meridians to facilitate communication. Small vessels branching from the fifteen Great Luros are termed "Sun Luo" (Grandchild Luros). Although the Ren and Chong vessels are discussed separately, they are often collectively referred to as one Luo named Wei Yi (CV-15), seemingly not truly distinct. Here, it branches off from the Taiyin meridian, hence called "Bie" (Branch/Divergent); the others follow this pattern. These divergent Luros branch off from the main meridians, hence called "Que" (Deficiency/Missing). This acupoint is located where the main meridian seems deficient, hence named "Lie Que". [Ping An Note: The original note lacks a character after "Bie Yu Tai Yin"; Yuan edition inserts "Yi".] It originates from the intermuscular space under the axilla (The intermuscular space under the axilla refers to the Hand-Taiyin meridian. [Ping An Note: "Under the axilla" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "above the wrist"; *Qian Jin Fang* writes "under the axilla".]), runs parallel with the Hand-Taiyin meridian straight into the palm, and scatters at Yuji (LU-10). Its pathological manifestations include heat in the palm, treated by selecting the point 1.5 cun distal to the wrist crease, allowing the Luo qi to diverge to the Yangming meridian. ("Bing", pronounced Bo Lang fan. The Luo enters Yuji and diverges to the Yangming meridian, as Yangming and Taiyin are exterior-interior paired; the rest follow this principle. [Ping An Note: The character "Jing" in "Zhi Jing" is erroneously printed as "Dao" in the Yuan edition. Regarding symptoms, *Ling Shu* states "Excess: heat at the radial side of the hand and palm; Deficiency: yawning, frequent urination or enuresis"; *Jia Yi Jing* states "heat at the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and palm", consistent with *Ling Shu* otherwise. Regarding location, "1.5 cun" in *Ling Shu* is "0.5 cun"; in *Jia Yi Jing* it is "1 cun".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian is named Tongli (HT-5), 1 cun from the wrist crease, ascending and diverging, following the meridian into the heart, connecting to the root of the tongue, and attaching to the eye system. Excess manifests as chest fullness and support-like distension; deficiency manifests as inability to speak. Treatment involves selecting the point 1 cun behind the wrist, diverging to the Taiyang meridian. ("Li" means dwelling. This point is where the Qi of the Hand-Shaoyin meridian diverges and communicates, serving as the dwelling of the Luo vessel, hence named Tongli. "Zhi" is synonymous with "Pi" (blockage). The Shaoyin meridian originates in the heart; thus, excess causes blockage in the diaphragm, while deficiency leads to inability to speak. [Ping An Note: "Qu Wan" in *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "Zai Wan". Regarding length, "1 cun" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "1.5 cun". Regarding location, "1 cun behind the wrist" in *Ling Shu* is "1 cun behind the palm".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Hand-Jueyin (Pericardium) meridian is named Neiguan (PC-6). [The Hand-Jueyin meridian here lies within the Taiyin and Shaoyin, originating from the divergent Luo, internally communicating with the Pericardium, and externally entering the Shaoyang, hence named Neiguan.] It is 2 cun from the wrist crease, emerging between the two tendons, ascending along the meridian to connect with the heart, surrounding the heart system. Excess manifests as heart pain; deficiency manifests as vexation. Treatment involves selecting the point between the two tendons. ([Checking the *Ming Tang Jing*, there is text saying "diverges to Shaoyang" after "between the two tendons", which is absent in this text, likely due to omission. [Ping An Note: "Wei Fan" in *Ling Shu* is "Wei Tou Qiang"; in *Jia Yi Jing* it is "Wei Fan Xin".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Hand-Taiyang (Small Intestine) meridian is named Zhizheng (SI-7). ["Zheng" refers to the regular meridian. "Zhi" refers to the Luo vessel. Branching off from the upper part of the Hand-Taiyang regular meridian, this Luo vessel diverges towards the Shaoyin meridian, hence named Zhizheng.] It is 5 cun from the wrist crease, internally injecting into the Shaoyin meridian; its branch ascends to the elbow and connects to Jianliao (SI-11). Excess manifests as flaccidity of joints and elbow dysfunction; deficiency manifests with warts, small ones like scabies crusts on fingers. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. ("Shi" means flaccidity/relaxation. Pronounced You, synonymous with "You" (wart), also meaning赘生物 (excrecence), a small nodule on the skin. You is pronounced Mu. Jia, pronounced Jia Xia fan, means scab. Jie, pronounced Gong Xie fan. [Ping An Note: "Qu Wan" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "Shang Wan". "Jie Shi" is written as "Jie Chi"; "Shi" and "Chi" are interchangeable. In the note, "You" is erroneously printed as "Zhong" in the Yuan edition.])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Hand-Yangming (Large Intestine) meridian is named Pianli (LI-6). [On the upper Hand-Yangming meridian, this Luo diverges, traverses the arm, and diverges to the Taiyin meridian, hence named Pianli.] It is 3 cun from the wrist crease, diverging to the Taiyin meridian; its branch ascends along the arm, passes Jianliao (LI-15), goes up to the curved cheek and lateral teeth; another branch enters the ear and meets at the Zong Mai (Ancestral Vessel). Excess manifests as dental caries and deafness; deficiency manifests as cold teeth and burning sensation in the diaphragm. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [The Hand-Yangming Luo ascends to the curved cheek, entering laterally into the lower teeth. "Zong" means total/gathering. There is a gathering place of four Luros (Hand-Taiyang, Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang, Foot-Yangming) in the ear, hence called Zong Mai. The Hand-Yangming Luo enters the ear and meets the Zong Mai; thus, excess causes caries and deafness. All five Yang meridians pass through the diaphragm; thus, Yang deficiency causes such burning sensations in the diaphragm. [Ping An Note: "Bie Zou" in *Ling Shu* is "Bie Ru". "Pian Chi" in the orthodox *Jia Yi Jing* is "Bian Chi"; according to *Ji Yun*, "Pian" is interchangeable with "Bian". "Hui" in *Ling Shu* is "He". "Qu Er Long" in *Ling Shu* lacks "Er"; in *Jia Yi Jing*, "Chi" precedes "Er". "Dan" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "Bi". In the note, "Si Mai", the original copy has "Yue" instead of "Si", likely an error; Yuan edition corrects to "Si". In "Wu Yang Zhi Mai", "Mai" is erroneously printed as "Luo" in the Yuan edition.])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Hand-Shaoyang (Sanjiao) meridian is named Waiguan (TE-5). [This Shaoyang Luo diverges externally from the Jueyin (Pericardium), hence named Waiguan.] It is 2 cun from the wrist crease, encircling the arm externally, injecting into the chest, and combining with the Pericardium. Pathological manifestations: excess causes elbow spasm; deficiency causes inability to flex/hold. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Excess causes urgency in the elbow, leading to spasm; deficiency causes relaxation, leading to inability to hold the elbow. [Ping An Note: "Qi Bing", the character "Qi" is absent in *Ling Shu*; "Qi Bing" two characters are absent in *Jia Yi Jing*.])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Taiyang (Bladder) meridian is named Feiyang (BL-58). [This Taiyang Luo diverges towards the Shaoyin meridian, swift as flying, hence named Feiyang.] It is 7 cun from the malleolus, diverging to the Shaoyin meridian. Excess manifests as nasal obstruction, headache, and back pain; deficiency manifests as rhinorrhea or epistaxis. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. ("Zhi" means obstruction, pronounced Zhi Li fan. The Taiyang meridian travels to the inner canthus, and its Luo enters the nose; thus, excess causes nasal obstruction. Deficiency lacks strength to guard, causing epistaxis. [Ping An Note: "Bi Zhi" in *Ling Shu* is "Qiu Zhi"; in *Jia Yi Jing* it is "Zhi Bi".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridian is named Guangming (GB-37). [Guangming refers to the eyes. Shaoyang and Jueyin govern the eyes, hence the Shaoyang Luo derives its name.] It is 5 cun from the malleolus, diverging to the Jueyin meridian, descending to connect to the dorsum of the foot. Excess manifests as Jue (reversal/cold limbs); deficiency manifests as Wei (atrophy/flaccidity), inability to sit up. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Shaoyang Luo: Excess above the waist often generates Jue-ni diseases; deficiency below the waist leads to Wei-bi, limping and inability to walk. Pronounced Pi. [Ping An Note: "Xia" after ankle, *Jia Yi Jing* has "Shang". "Xia" after Jueyin, *Jia Yi Jing* has "Bing Jing". "Xia" after Fu, *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* lack "Shang".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Yangming (Stomach) meridian is named Fenglong (ST-40). [Foot-Yangming Grain Qi is abundant and flourishing; reaching here, it overflows out as the Great Luo, hence named Fenglong.] It is 8 cun from the malleolus, diverging to the Taiyin meridian; its branch follows the lateral aspect of the tibia, ascends to connect to the head, combines the Qi of various meridians, and descends to connect to the throat. Pathological manifestations: Qi rebellion causes throat bi and sudden aphonia; excess manifests as mania and epilepsy; deficiency manifests as inability to move the feet and emaciation of the shins. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Excess aggregates upward, causing epileptic disorders. Deficiency lacks sufficiency downward, causing inability to move the feet. [Ping An Note: Both *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* have "Xiang" (neck) after "Tou". "Cu Yin" is written as "Cui Yin". "Kuang Dian Ji" in *Ling Shu* is "Kuang Dian"; in *Jia Yi Jing* it is "Dian Kuang", both lacking "Ji".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) meridian is named Gongsun (SP-4). [Liver Wood is Gong (Public/Father), Heart Fire is Zi (Son), Spleen Earth is Sun (Grandson). The acupoint is on the Gongsun meridian, hence named Gongsun. [Ping An Note: In the note, "Pi Tu" is erroneously printed as "Pi Shang" by Yuan edition; "Yin" is erroneously printed as "Gu".]] It is 1 cun posterior to the proximal phalanx base, diverging to the Yangming meridian; its branch enters and connects to the intestines and stomach. Rebellion of Jue Qi causes Huo Luan (cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea); excess manifests as cutting abdominal pain; deficiency manifests as tympanites/bloating. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Yangming Luo enters the intestines and stomach; clear and turbid Qi interfere with each other; Jue Qi disturbs the intestines and stomach, resulting in Huo Luan. Abundant food leads to excess pulse, hence abdominal pain. Lack of food leads to deficiency pulse, hence Qi stagnation and bloating. [Ping An Note: "Fu Zhong" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "Chang Zhong". In the note, "Zhang" is erroneously printed as "Zhen" by Yuan edition.])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian is named Dazhong (KI-4). ["Zhong" means pouring/injecting. This acupoint is where the Kidney Great Luo diverges and injects, hence named Dazhong. [Ping An Note: Dazhong in the orthodox *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "Tai Zhong".]] It is located behind the malleolus, circling the heel, diverging to the Taiyang meridian; its branch runs parallel upwards to the Pericardium, descending through the lumbar spine. Pathological manifestations: Qi rebellion causes vexation and oppression; excess manifests as urinary retention/dysuria; deficiency manifests as lumbar pain. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Dazhong Luo travels to the Pericardium; thus, disease causes vexation. Excess causes bladder retention and strangury; insufficiency causes lumbar pain. [Ping An Note: "Guan Shang" in *Ling Shu* has "Wai". "Bi Long" in *Jia Yi Jing* is "Long Bi".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridian is named Ligou (LR-5). ["Li", pronounced Li Sa fan, means ladle/spoon. Inside the tibia, the hollow spaces above and below resemble the channel of a ladle, hence named Ligou.] It is 5 cun from the medial malleolus, diverging to the Shaoyang meridian; its branch follows the tibia upwards to the scrotum, knotting at the penis. Pathological manifestations: Qi rebellion causes scrotal swelling and sudden hernia; excess manifests as priapism with heat; deficiency manifests with sudden itching. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. ["Gao" means scrotum. This Luo ascends to the scrotum, gathering at the penis. Ting Chang means protrusion and elongation of the penis. Deficiency causes genital itching. [Ping An Note: "Xia" after ankle, *Jia Yi Jing* has "Shang". "Xun Jing Shang Gao" in *Ling Shu* is "Jing Jing Shang Gao"; in *Jia Yi Jing* it is "Xun Jing Shang Gao".])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) is named Changqiang (GV-1). [The Du meridian governs all Yang meridians; its Qi is long and strong. The acupoint resides in this area, hence named Changqiang.] It runs alongside the spinal muscles to the neck, disperses upwards to the head, descends to the left and right of the shoulder blades, diverges to the Taiyang meridian, and enters through the spinal muscles. Excess manifests as spinal rigidity; deficiency manifests as heaviness of the head. When shaking the head high, tenderness along the spine indicates the affected area; treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Tenderness along the spine determines the two paths of the Du meridian. [Ping An Note: The section on Du Mai in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* appears after the Ren Mai. "Xia Lv" in *Ling Shu* is "Jia Lv"; in *Jia Yi Jing* it is "Xia Ji". "Jian Jia" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "Jian Jia". The nine characters "Gao Yao Zhi Xia Ji Zhi You Guo Zhe" are absent in *Jia Yi Jing* note: "*Jiu Xu* lacks these nine characters." In the note, "Ding" is erroneously printed as "Bing" by Yuan edition.])

The Luo-Connecting vessel of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is named Wei Yi (CV-15), descending to Jiutui (CV-15), and scattering in the abdomen. Excess manifests as pain in the abdominal skin; deficiency manifests with itching. Treatment involves selecting the point of the divergent Luo. [Wei refers to Jiutui, also named Wei Yi, which is the xiphoid process shielding the heart. This Luo originates from Wei Yi, hence the name. The Ren and Chong meridians merge into one Luo here because their Ying (nutritive) pathways are identical. The floating Luros of Ren and Chong run in the abdominal skin; thus, excess causes pain. Deficiency, being insufficient, allows pathogenic factors to cause itching. Pronounced Ye Lao fan. [Ping An Note: Ren Chong in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "Ren Mai". "Yang Sao" in *Jia Yi Jing* is "Sao Yang".]])

The Great Luo of the Spleen is named Dabao (SP-21). [The Spleen belongs to Central Earth and is the master of the Four Zang organs, enveloping the body, hence named Dabao. [Ping An Note: "Da Luo Mai" in Yuan edition is "Da Mai Luo"; *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* lack "Mai". In the note, "Zhong Tu" is erroneously printed as "Zhong Shang" by Yuan edition.]] It emerges 3 cun lateral to the Quanyi (AX-9) point under the axilla, distributing across the chest and hypochondrium. Excess manifests as generalized body pain; deficiency manifests as flaccidity of all joints. This vessel, like a net of blood vessels, should be selected for treatment when diseased. [The abundant Qi of the Spleen issues from the Quanyi point 3 cun under the axilla, distributing across the chest and hypochondrium, and scattering throughout the body. Thus, excess causes generalized pain; deficiency of Grain Qi causes flaccidity of all joints. This vessel is the net-like blood vessel of the human body; therefore, all diseases are treated by selecting it. [Ping An Note: "Quanyi" in *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* is "Yuanye", see previous notes. "Shen Shang" in *Jia Yi Jing* has an extra "Shen". "Bai Jie" in *Jia Yi Jing* is "Bai Mai". "Jie Qu Zhi Suo Bie" in *Ling Shu* is "Jie Qu Zhi Pi Zhi Da Luo Mai Ye"; *Jia Yi Jing* lacks "Suo Bie".]]

Regarding these fifteen Luros: Excess conditions will necessarily manifest visibly; deficiency conditions will necessarily appear sunken/invisible. If not visible upon inspection, seek them above and below. Human meridians differ, and Luo vessel locations vary. [Abundance fills the vessels with blood, so they necessarily manifest. Deficiency means less blood in the vessels, so they necessarily sink. Sunken vessels are hard to see, so one must search above and below. Humans receive Qi differently, and their bodies are not uniform; how could meridians be identical? Thus, one must search above and below to perceive them. [Ping An Note: After "Yi Suo", *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing* have "Bie Ye". In the note, "Mai Xia Nan Jian" is printed as "Mai Zhong Nan Jian" by Yuan edition.]]