The so-called "Three Regions" (San Bu) refer to the Cun (Inch), Guan (Bar), and Chi (Foot) positions. The Cun position corresponds to Heaven and belongs to the Upper Region; the Guan position corresponds to Humanity and belongs to the Middle Region; the Chi position corresponds to Earth and belongs to the Lower Region. The so-called "Nine Palpations" (Jiu Hou) involve palpating at each of these three regions using Floating (Fu, light pressure), Moderate (Zhong, medium pressure), and Sinking (Chen, heavy pressure) techniques, where Floating corresponds to Heaven, Sinking corresponds to Earth, and Moderate corresponds to Humanity.

The arterial pulse located beside the high bone (radial styloid process) is the Guan position. It is achieved by pressing the tip of the middle finger squarely on the end of the high bone. Laypeople do not understand the correct principle, relying instead on the contact point of their fingers, which leads to errors. If the high bone falls between the index and middle fingers, all three fingers deviate from their proper positions, landing in the posterior half of their respective zones. Some place the index finger directly on the high bone or even further posterior to it; this demonstrates a lack of understanding of the correct principles of pulse diagnosis. Even if one has clear insight into the pathology, losing the correct anatomical reference point upon palpation makes it impossible to determine the disease.

From the Guan position forward to the Thenar Eminence (Yu Ji) is the Cun position, known as the Yang Position.
Also called Cun Kou, it is located precisely anterior to the Guan (high bone) and posterior to the wrist crease, within the depression at the junction of red and white flesh (skin color change), in the bony groove, a space capable of holding a single bean. This area is referred to as Yu Ji.

Posterior to the Guan is the Chi position, known as the Yin Position.
Moving posteriorly from the Guan to the He-Sea point of the relevant meridian (Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian) located in the large crease of the inner elbow (Chi Ze point), which is named Chi Ze, and is one Chi (foot) long, hence the name Chi. The region between Yin and Yang is named Guan. The total length of the three regions is three Cun (inches), corresponding to Heaven, Earth, and Humanity (San Cai). Generally, for men, the left hand is examined; for women, the right hand. To measure, join the middle finger and thumb to form a Guan shape; the distance between the two transverse creases at the middle joint of the middle finger constitutes one Cun. This standard applies to acupoint selection, and the dimensions of the pulse positions should correspond to this measurement. Generally, the Cun pulse primarily governs the area from the heart and chest up to the head; the Guan pulse primarily governs the middle area, from the heart and stomach to the umbilicus; the Chi pulse primarily governs the lower area, from the umbilicus down to the feet.

The Left Cun pulse primarily governs the Heart and Small Intestine (Ministerial Fire / Jun Huo). The Left Guan pulse primarily governs the Liver and Gallbladder (Wind-Wood). The Left Chi pulse primarily governs the Kidney and Bladder (Cold-Water). The Right Cun pulse primarily governs the Lungs and Large Intestine (Dry-Metal). The Right Guan pulse primarily governs the Spleen and Stomach (Damp-Earth). The Right Chi pulse primarily governs the Mingmen (Gate of Life) and San Jiao (Triple Burner) (Ministerial Fire / Xiang Huo).

The reason for this arrangement is that the left hand represents Yang, with Yang acting as the Sovereign, facing South to administer governance, starting with Water at Zi hour. Dividing the year's Six Qi according to their correct positions, this corresponds to the period from Zheng Hai to the end of Chou, where Qi declines. The position of Water is governed by the Left Chi pulse. As Qi moves from Chi to Cun, Water generates Wind-Wood at the Left Guan, corresponding to the Qi from early Chou to early Mao. Wood generates Ministerial Fire (Jun Huo) at the Left Cun, completing the Yang path, thus named Ministerial Fire, similar to how Heavenly Stems start at Zi and end at Si, corresponding to the second Qi from Zheng Mao to Zheng Si. The Sovereign is above and the minister below; Yang advances and ascends, while Yin retreats and descends. Therefore, the right hand represents Yin, starting with Fire at Wu hour. Fire faces North to receive Qi, corresponding to the third Qi from Si to Zheng Wei. San Jiao is the Proper Fire, governing the Right Chi pulse. Ministerial Fire generates Damp-Earth at the Right Guan, corresponding to the fourth Qi from Zheng Wei to You. Damp-Earth generates Metal at the Right Cun, corresponding to the fifth Qi from You to Hai. This again governs the Water of the Left Chi, cycling continuously. Regarding men (Left) and women (Right) as husband and wife, the Ministerial Fire of the Left Cun controls the Metal of the Right Cun; the Wood of the Left Guan controls the Earth of the Right Guan; the Water of the Left Chi controls the Fire of the Right Chi. As for Mingmen, it is the Right Kidney, belonging to Fire rather than Water, and is the Zang organ of the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. The world generally states that the Pericardium Zang has a name but no form, due to a lack of understanding of the principles. San Jiao is the pathway for the transmission and transformation of water and grain: from the mouth to the upper opening of the stomach is the Upper Jiao; down to the separation of the lower stomach and intestines is the Middle Jiao; down to the exit of transformation is the Lower Jiao, collectively termed San Jiao. It is erroneous for modern laypeople to claim it has no shape and only an empty name. For instance, counting from head to foot, one does not call any part "a person," so how can one say humans have no form? Speaking of the whole body, it is indeed called a person, and blood vessels circulate through the Zang-Fu organs and operate throughout the body. If there were truly no physical form for Mingmen and San Jiao, where would be the pathways for the operation of Qi and Blood? Pulses float at the Fu organs and sink at the Zang organs; those that are moderate and relaxed are in the Chest.

A pulse located above the muscle layer is called Floating (Fu); one located below the muscle layer is called Sinking (Chen). Some argue that the Lungs nourish skin and hair, the Heart nourishes blood vessels, the Spleen nourishes muscles, the Liver nourishes sinews, and the Kidneys nourish bones, using this floating and sinking distinction to differentiate the pulses of the Five Zang organs. While this description of pulse location may be acceptable, its application involves a deviation from the true way of treating diseases.