冲为经脉之海，又曰血海，其脉与任脉，皆起于少腹之内胞中。其浮而外者，起于气冲。（一名气街，在
少腹毛中两旁各二寸，横骨两端，动脉宛宛中，足阳明穴也）并足阳明、少阴二经之间，循腹上行至横骨。（足
阳明去腹中行二寸，少阴去腹中行五分，冲脉行于二经之间也。横骨在阴上横骨中，宛如偃月，去腹中行一寸半）
挟脐左右各五分，上行历大赫、（横骨上一寸，去腹中行一寸半）气穴、（即胞门一名子户、大赫上一寸，去腹中
行一寸半，少阴、冲脉之会）四满、（气穴上一寸）中注、（四满上一寸）肓 、（中注上一寸）商曲、（肓
上二寸）石关、（商曲上一寸）阴都、（石关上一寸）通谷、（阴都上一寸）幽门，（通谷上一寸，夹巨阙两旁，
各五分陷中）至胸中而散，凡二十四穴。
灵枢经曰∶冲、任皆起于胞中，上循背里，为经络之海。其浮而外者，循腹右上行，会于咽喉，别而
络唇口。血气盛则充肤热肉，血独盛则淡渗皮肤，生毫毛。妇人有余于气，不足于血，月下数脱血，任冲
并伤，脉不荣其口唇，故髭须不生。宦者去其宗筋，
伤其冲任，血泻不复，皮肤内结，唇口不荣，故须亦不生。天宦不脱于血，而任冲不盛，宗筋不强，有气
无血，唇口不荣，故须亦不生。
素问水热穴论曰∶三阴之所交，结于脚也。踝上各一行者，此肾脉之下行也。名曰太冲。
王启玄曰∶肾脉与冲脉并下行循足，合而盛大，故曰太冲。一云冲脉起于气冲，冲直而通，故谓之冲。
素问阴阳离合论曰∶圣人南面而立，前曰广明，后曰太冲。太冲之地，名曰少阴，其冲在下，名曰太阴。
启玄曰∶心脏在南，故前曰广明，冲脉在北，故后曰太冲。足少阴肾脉与冲脉合而盛大，故曰太冲。两脉
相合为表里也。冲脉在脾之下，故曰其冲在下，名曰太阴。
灵枢经曰∶帝曰∶少阴之脉独下行。何也？岐伯曰∶不然。夫冲脉者，五脏六腑之海也。其上者出于
颃颡，渗诸阳，灌诸精。其下者注于少阴之大络，起于肾下，出于气街，循阴股内廉，斜入 中，伏行
骨内廉，并少阴之经，下入内踝之后，入足下；其别者并于少阴，渗三阴，斜入踝，伏行出属跗，属下，
循跗上，入大指之间，渗诸络而温足胫肌肉。故其脉常动，别络结则跗上不动，不动则厥，厥则寒矣。
王海脏曰∶手少阳三焦相火为一腑，右肾命门为
相火，心包主亦名相火，其脉同诊。肾为生气之门，出而治脐下，分三歧，上冲夹脐过天枢，上至膻中两
乳间，元气所系焉。又足太阳之别，并足太阳正路入络膀胱，约下焉。三焦者，从头至心、心至脐、脐至
足，为上中下三焦，其实真元一气也。故曰有脏无腑。脉诀云∶三焦无状空有名，寄在胸中膈相应。一
云∶其腑在气街中。上焦在胃上口，治在膻中；中焦在胃管，治在脐旁；下焦在脐下膀胱上口，治在脐。
经曰∶原气者，三焦之别使也。肾间动气者，真元一气，分为三路，人之生命也，十二经之根本也。
李濒湖曰∶三焦即命门之用。与冲、任、督相通者，故附着于此。
冲脉是十二经脉的海，又被称为血海。它的脉道与任脉，都起始于小腹内部的胞宫之中。其中浮行于体表的分支，起始于气冲穴。（气冲又名气街，位于小腹阴毛两侧各二寸处，横骨两端动脉搏动明显凹陷的地方，是足阳明胃经的穴位）它并行于足阳明胃经和足少阴肾经之间，沿着腹部上行至横骨穴。（足阳明胃经距离腹中线二寸，足少阴肾经距离腹中线五分，冲脉行走在这两条经脉之间。横骨穴位于阴部上方横骨中间，形状像倒扣的月亮，距离腹中线一寸半）它挟持着脐部左右各五分处，向上经过大赫穴、（横骨穴上一寸，距离腹中线一寸半）气穴穴、（即胞门，又名子户，在气穴穴上一寸，距离腹中线一寸半，是足少阴肾经与冲脉交会之处）四满穴、（气穴穴上一寸）中注穴、（四满穴上一寸）肓俞穴、（中注穴上一寸）商曲穴、（肓俞穴上二寸）石关穴、（商曲穴上一寸）阴都穴、（石关穴上一寸）通谷穴、（阴都穴上一寸）幽门穴，（通谷穴上一寸，夹在巨阙穴两旁，各五分处的凹陷中），到达胸中而散开，共有二十四个穴位。
《灵枢经》说：冲脉和任脉都起于胞宫，向上沿着脊柱内部行走，成为经络的海。其中浮行于体表的分支，沿着腹部右侧上行，会合于咽喉部分支联络口唇。如果气血旺盛，则充盈肌肤，温暖肌肉；如果血液特别旺盛，则渗透皮肤，生长毫毛。妇女由于气有余而血不足，每月月经来潮多次失血，导致任脉和冲脉同时受损，脉气不能荣养口唇，所以胡须不生。宦官割除了宗筋，损伤了冲脉和任脉，血液泻出后无法恢复，皮肤内部凝结，口唇得不到荣养，所以胡须也不生。天宦（先天阉割者）没有失血，但是任脉和冲脉不旺盛，宗筋不强壮，有气无血，口唇得不到荣养，所以胡须也不生。
《素问·水热穴论》说：三阴经在此交汇，结聚于足部。脚踝上方各有一行的脉，这是肾脉下行的部分，名称叫太冲。
王启玄说：肾脉与冲脉并排下行循行于足部，汇合后盛大，所以称为太冲。另一种说法认为冲脉起始于气冲穴，冲脉直而通畅，所以叫做冲。
《素问·阴阳离合论》说：圣人面向南方站立，前面称为广明，后面称为太冲。太冲之地，名称为少阴，其冲脉在下部，名称为太阴。
王启玄说：心脏位于南方，所以前面称为广明；冲脉位于北方，所以后面称为太冲。足少阴肾脉与冲脉汇合后盛大，所以称为太冲。这两条脉相合，互为表里。冲脉在脾脏之下，所以说它的冲脉在下部，名称为太阴。
《灵枢经》说：黄帝问：为什么少阴脉单独下行？岐伯回答说：不是这样的。冲脉，是五脏六腑的海。它的上行部分出于颃颡（鼻咽部），渗灌诸阳经，灌注精气。它的下行部分注入足少阴肾经的大络，起始于肾脏下方，出于气街，沿着大腿内侧前缘下行，斜入腘窝中，伏行于骨骼内侧边缘，并行于少阴经，向下进入内踝后方，进入足底；它的别行分支并与少阴经并行，渗灌三阴经，斜入踝部，伏行而出连接跗骨，向下循行，沿着足背向上，进入大脚趾之间，渗灌各络脉以温煦小腿和足部的肌肉。所以这条脉经常跳动，如果别络阻塞，则足背上脉搏不动，脉搏不动就会发生厥证，厥证就会出现寒冷。
王海藏说：手少阳三焦相火构成一个腑，右肾命门也是相火，心包主事也名为相火，它们的脉象诊断相同。肾是生气之门，元气出于脐下，分为三条歧路，向上冲脉挟持脐部经过天枢穴，向上到达膻中两乳之间，这是元气所系结的地方。另外足太阳膀胱经的别络，并行足太阳正路入络于膀胱，约束下部。三焦，从头到心、心到脐、脐到足，分为上、中、下三焦，其实质是真元一气。所以说只有脏而没有腑。《脉诀》说：三焦没有具体形态空有名号，寄存在胸中与膈膜相应。另一种说法认为：它的腑位于气街中。上焦在胃的上口，治疗部位在膻中；中焦在胃管，治疗部位在脐旁；下焦在脐下膀胱上口，治疗部位在脐。经典说：原气，是三焦的别使。肾间动气，就是真元一气，分为三路，是人的生命根本，也是十二经脉的根本。
Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians, also known as the Sea of Blood. Its vessel originates within the Bao Zhong (uterus/womb) inside the lower abdomen. The branch that floats outwardly originates at Qichong (ST30). (Qichong, also called Qijie, is located two cun lateral to the midline of the lower abdomen in the pubic hair region, between the ends of the Henggu (SI8) bone, in the depression where the artery beats; it is an acupoint of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.) It runs between the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, ascending along the abdomen to Henggu (KI12). (The Foot-Yangming meridian is two cun from the abdominal midline, the Foot-Shaoyin meridian is five fen from the abdominal midline, and the Chong Mai runs between these two meridians. Henggu is located in the transverse bone above the genitalia, resembling a crescent moon, one and a half cun from the abdominal midline.) It flanks the umbilicus, five fen on each side, ascending through Dahé (KI13), (one cun above Henggu, one and a half cun from the midline) Qixué (KI14), (also known as Baomen or Zihu, one cun above Qixué, one and a half cun from the midline, intersection of Foot-Shaoyin and Chong Mai) Siman (KI15), (one cun above Qixué) Zhongzhu (KI16), (one cun above Siman) Huangshu (KI17), (one cun above Zhongzhu) Shangqu (KI18), (two cun above Huangshu) Shiguan (KI19), (one cun above Shangqu) Yindu (KI20), (one cun above Shiguan) Tonggu (KI21), (one cun above Yindu) Youmen (KI22), (one cun above Tonggu, five fen lateral to Juque (CV14) in the depression), dispersing in the chest. There are twenty-four acupoints in total.
The *Ling Shu* states: "Both the Chong and Ren vessels originate in the Bao Zhong, ascending along the interior of the back, serving as the Sea of the Meridians. The branch floating outwardly ascends along the right side of the abdomen, meets at the throat, and branches to connect with the lips and mouth. When blood and qi are abundant, they fill the skin and warm the flesh; when blood is particularly abundant, it渗 (seeps/permeates) into the skin, generating body hair. Women have excess qi but deficient blood, losing blood frequently during menstruation, injuring both the Ren and Chong vessels. The vessels fail to nourish the lips and mouth, hence facial hair does not grow. Eunuchs have their Zongjin (genitals/tendons) removed, injuring the Chong and Ren vessels; blood is lost and cannot recover, internal结 (knots/condenses) in the skin, and the lips and mouth are not nourished, hence beard does not grow. Tianhuan (congenital eunuchs) do not lose blood, but the Ren and Chong vessels are not vigorous, the Zongjin is not strong, having qi but lacking blood, the lips and mouth are not nourished, hence beard does not grow."
The *Su Wen: Shui Re Xue Lun* states: "The three Yin meridians intersect and knot at the foot. The rows of vessels above each ankle are the downward path of the Kidney Meridian, named Taichong."
Wang Qixuan states: "The Kidney Meridian and Chong Mai descend together along the foot, merging to become vigorous, thus named Taichong. Another view holds that the Chong Mai originates at Qichong; because it is straight and unobstructed, it is called 'Chong' (penetrating)."
The *Su Wen: Yin Yang Li He Lun* states: "When the sage stands facing south, the front is called Guangming, and the back is called Taichong. The area of Taichong is named Shaoyin; its Chong is below, named Taiyin."
Wang Qixuan states: "The Heart is in the south, so the front is called Guangming; the Chong Mai is in the north, so the back is called Taichong. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and Chong Mai merge to become vigorous, thus named Taichong. These two vessels combine as exterior and interior. The Chong Mai is below the Spleen, so its Chong is below, named Taiyin."
The *Ling Shu* states: "The Yellow Emperor asked: Why does the Shaoyin vessel descend alone? Qibo replied: Not so. The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Its ascending part emerges from the Hangsang (nasopharynx), seeps into the Yang meridians, and irrigates the essences. Its descending part pours into the large collateral of the Shaoyin, originating below the kidney, emerging from Qijie, following the medial aspect of the thigh, obliquely entering the popliteal fossa, running deep along the medial edge of the bone, parallel to the Shaoyin meridian, descending behind the medial malleolus, and entering the sole of the foot; its branch runs parallel with the Shaoyin, seeps into the three Yin meridians, obliquely enters the ankle, runs deep emerging to connect with the dorsum of the foot, descends, follows the dorsum upward, enters between the great toe, seeps into the collaterals to warm the muscles of the lower leg and foot. Therefore, this vessel usually pulsates; if the branch collateral is blocked, the pulse on the dorsum of the foot will not move; if it does not move, Jue (reversal cold) occurs, leading to coldness."
Wang Haizheng states: "The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) constitutes one Fu organ; the Right Kidney Mingmen (Gate of Life) is also Ministerial Fire; the Pericardium governs and is also named Ministerial Fire; their pulses are diagnosed similarly. The Kidney is the gate of generating Qi. Qi emerges below the umbilicus, dividing into three branches. The Chong Mai ascends flanking the umbilicus passing Tianshu (ST25), reaching up to Danzhong (CV17) between the breasts, where Yuanqi (Original Qi) is anchored. Additionally, the branch of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian runs parallel with the main path of the Foot-Taiyang, entering and connecting to the Bladder, constraining the lower part. The Sanjiao extends from head to heart, heart to umbilicus, and umbilicus to foot, forming the Upper, Middle, and Lower Sanjiao, but its essence is the True Primal Qi. Thus, it is said to have Zang but no Fu. The *Mai Jue* says: 'Sanjiao has no form, empty name only, lodged in the chest corresponding to the diaphragm.' Another view states: 'Its Fu organ is in Qijie.' The Upper Sanjiao is at the upper opening of the stomach, treated at Danzhong; the Middle Sanjiao is in the stomach tube, treated at the side of the umbilicus; the Lower Sanjiao is below the umbilicus at the upper opening of the bladder, treated at the umbilicus. The classics state: 'Yuanqi is the special envoy of the Sanjiao.' The Dongqi (moving Qi) in the kidneys is the True Primal Qi, divided into three paths, being the root of human life and the foundation of the twelve meridians."
Li Shizhen states: "The Sanjiao is the function of the Mingmen. Because it connects with the Chong, Ren, and Du vessels, it is attached here."