治病须分经络，古人以经界喻之，犹夫射之的，御之范也。
《灵枢·经脉》一篇，为我医所必读，惟是其文参差繁复，习者苦之。东垣编为歌诀，国朝汪 庵更为谐畅，
可谓记诵无难矣。惟是熟此经脉，于逐经之起止，循行虽已了了，而人之身体每一处有两三经，或四五经，错
综循及者，皆散见于各经之下，临证仓卒，未免或遗。兹不揣愚陋，窃以人身自巅至足，凡十二经络行及之
所，汇而辑之。再奇经八脉，除带脉及阴阳维跷、皆简明易晓、可无纂辑外，其冲任督三经亦为摘入。仿四六
之体，编为俚句，而不拘拈对，不嫌粗俗，惟求便于记诵。俾人之身体四肢，一云某处，便识为某经某络，实
为临证辨经分经议治之快捷方式，但不敢曰熟此总诀，竟可置经文而不读也。譬之《本草纲目》既已按药而治病，
复有《本草类方》为之按病以集方，二者纵横为用，尤为心目 然耳。
头上诸脉
盖闻手之三阴，从脏走手；（手太阴肺，少阴心，厥阴心包。）手之三
阳，从手走头。（手少阳三焦，阳明大肠，太阳小肠。）足之三阳，从头走足；（足太阳膀胱，阳明胃，少阳
胆。）足之三阴，从足走腹。（足太阴脾，少阴肾，厥阴肝。）《灵》已逐一而分言，兹乃合编而便读。膀胱
之脉交于巅，肝与督脉会于巅，络脑须知膀督。（惟欲便于诵读，故用简字诀。余仿此。）发际循乎胃脉，
胃至额颅。（发际下为额颅。）胆抵头额，上额者督与膀胱，（在内直上。）出额者其惟肝脉。（在外直出。）
目系连于肝脉，心之支者并系目之内角，名曰内 。小支至而膀胱起，胃经远约于其旁。（小肠之支者，至目
内，膀胱之脉、起于目内 、胃脉起于鼻之交 中，旁约太阳之脉、下循鼻外，约一作纳。）目之外角，名
曰锐 ，胆接焦支。（三焦之支者至目锐 ，胆脉起于目锐 。）小肠亦至目下为 ，（音
拙。）焦胆小肠而合至。（三脉俱支者。）两旁为颊，大小肝焦而上下。（夹面横骨为颊。大肠贯颊，小肠上
颊，肝与三焦俱下颊，四脉亦俱支者。）小肠之支，斜络于颧。督脉至于鼻柱，胃脉起于交 。（即山根。）
大肠之支，挟鼻孔而交中挟口。（从下齿还出挟口，交人中，左之右，右之左，上
挟鼻孔，至迎香穴而终，交足阳明经。）胃经之脉，循鼻外而挟口环唇，肝又环于唇内，胃又交于承浆。（
下唇陷中。）胃经之脉入上齿，大肠之支入下齿，颔前大迎，胃脉出而胆支下。（腮下为颔，颔前一寸三分动
脉陷中为大迎，乃胃经穴。）颔下为颐，胃脉循而任脉上。（胃脉循颐后下廉。）耳之上角，焦支出而膀支
至，客主人穴，胆出走而胃脉过。（耳前上廉起骨曰客主人，乃胆经穴。胆脉之支者出走耳前，至目锐 后。胃
脉上耳前，过客主人。）三焦之孙脉，出走客主人前。（《灵枢》云∶经脉为里，支而横者为络，络之别者为
孙，此支之岐者，故曰孙脉，后仿此。）小肠与焦胆，三支并入耳中。胆脉焦支，系于耳后，胆支胃脉，循在
颊车。（耳下曲骨为夹车。）咽有小心，脾肾之脉。（小肠脉循咽，心脉之支者挟咽，脾脉挟咽，肾脉至咽。）
喉为胃支，肾脉之循。（二脉循喉咙。）肝循喉后而入咽颡。（肝脉循喉咙之后，上入咽颡。咽颡一名颃颡，在
上后。）脾连舌本而散舌下，肾脉挟乎舌本。胃支下在人迎。（结喉旁一寸五分动脉。）此为
诸阳之会。先须大略而陈。
在身诸脉
原夫脑后为项，膀胱督脉与焦支。两旁为颈，大小肠支同胆脉。肩 骨之前廉，大肠出之。肩后之下为膊，
膀胱循也。焦胆小肠，交合于肩。（会于大椎者为肩。）肾经督脉，并贯于脊。脊骨两旁
第一行，相去各一寸五分。挟脊肉为膂，膀胱循之而挟脊，脊骨两旁第二行，相去各三寸。成片骨为胛，（
音夹。）小肠绕而膀支贯。至于肩前陷下，名曰缺盆，焦胆胃肠，并入其中。是以胆脉循胸，三焦布膻。（
上焦两乳中间为膻中。）乳内廉乃胃经直下，腋之中分胆经包络。（心包络，亦有直者支者之分，恐辞句繁复，
故此处支者仅云包络。下文正脉，乃用心包二字以别之。）腋下为包络之过，心直下而肺横出。胁里为胆脉之
循，心包出而肝经布。胁骨之下为季胁，须识胆经之过。脐下四寸为中极，当知任脉之起。（任脉起于中极之下。）然
而任脉当脐，冲胃挟脐。脾脉入腹，胃支循腹。肝脉上抵乎小腹，胆胃出入于气街。（脐下毛际两旁动脉，
为气街，一名气冲，乃胃经穴。）胆绕毛际，（曲骨之外为毛际。）肝环阴器。此在身躯之脉，所当胪列而明。
脏腑中诸脉
其在脏腑之脉，太阳与少阴为表里；（手太阳小肠，少阴心。足太阳膀胱，少阴肾。）少阳与厥阴为表
里；（手少阳三焦，厥阴心包；足少阳胆，厥阴肝。）阳明与太阴为表里。（手阳明大肠，太阴肺。足阳明胃，
太阴脾。）凡此六经、脉皆互络，手足同然，无须详赘。（如肺脉络大肠，大肠脉络肺之类，十二经皆仿此。）
更有肺之一脏，心直上而肾直入，胃之一腑，肝脉挟而肺小循。（肝脉挟胃，肺脉还循胃口，小肠之脉抵胃。）
心有肾支之络，肝有肾经之贯，肝支又注于心中，肺脉自起于中焦，心下有膈，惟膀胱为无涉，十有一经，
皆上下而贯之。（心下膈膜，遮隔浊气，不使上薰心肺。惟膀胱之脉，挟脊抵腰中，入循膂，络肾属膀胱，
故不贯膈。）此属脏腑之间，并须熟谙者。
手经诸脉
论乎肩肘之间，乃号为 。（音柔。俗名大臂。） 之内廉有三，肺循前而心循后，包络恰循乎其间。
之外廉有三，小循后而大循前，三焦乃循乎其外。 下为肘，三焦上贯内廉，尺泽包络入之，（包络之支者
，入肘内陷中尺泽穴。）肺则下于内前，心又下于内后，（肺脉下肘中，心脉下肘内，惟肺脉行前。心脉行
后，心包行其中间为别。）小肠出于内侧，（两筋之间。）大肠入于外廉。肘下为臂，包仍在中。（即上文支
者。）大循上而小循下，心脉仍循内后廉，上骨下廉之内，仍循肺脉，臂外两骨之间，还出三焦。肺入寸口
而循鱼际，（关前动脉为寸口，大指后肉隆起处为鱼际，鱼际其间穴名。）心抵锐骨而入后廉，（心脉抵掌
后锐骨之端，入掌内后廉。）包络直入于掌中，（从曲泽行掌后两筋之间，横纹陷中，入掌中。）
三焦仍循乎表腕，大肠出于合谷，而上入两筋之中。（
合谷俗名虎口，大肠经穴。）小肠循于外侧，而出腕下之踝。（循手外侧，上
腕出踝中。踝，音华，上声。腕，外兑骨。）肺脉出于大指，包络出于中指，次指为肺支、肠脉之交。（肺脉之支
者，直出次指内廉出其端。大肠之脉，起于次指之端。）四指为包络、焦脉之接，三焦又上出小、次之
间。小指为心脉、小肠之接。所谓手经，大略如斯。
足经诸脉
至如尻上为腰，膀胱脉抵。（背脊下横骨为腰。）腰下为臀，膀支贯之。两旁捷骨之下名髀枢，而胆横膀
过。（一名髀厌，胆脉横入髀厌中。膀胱之支者过脾枢。）前面气街之下号髀关，而胃经直下。股之内廉，
前廉脾而后廉肾，又肝脉内循于股阴。股外为髀，后膀支而前胃脉，（髀前膝上六寸，起肉为伏兔，胃脉抵之。）
又胆脉下循于髀阳。（循髀外行太阳、阳明之间。）是以挟膝筋中为膑。（即膝盖骨。）仍属胃经之直
下，而膝内脾经，（内前廉。）膝外胆脉，（外廉。）膝后曲处为 ，还是膀支之直入，而肾出肝上，俱在
内廉。（肾脉出 内廉，肝脉上 内廉。）脾肾上于 内，（ ，足肚也，二豚上 内廉。）旁支贯于 外。（
从中下贯 内，出外踝之后。）胆下于外辅骨前，而直抵绝骨之端。（脾骨为辅骨，外踝上为绝骨。）肝
斜于胫 内侧，而胃循胫外之廉。内踝有脾前肾后之分，外踝有胆前膀后之别。（跟上两旁，内外曰踝。）
大指节后为核骨，脾经脉过。足外侧骨为京骨，膀脉支循。肾入跟中，胃胆循跗，跗上廉乃肝经循处。足心
中有肾脉斜趋。（涌泉穴。）大指甲后，属胆支肝脉之交。大指内侧，为胃支脾脉之接。中指内外，分胃
直胃支之入。四指之间，又胆经直入而终。膀支至于小指之外，肾脉起于小指之下，足经之脉，又如此也。
治病必须分清经络，古人用“经界”来比喻它，就像射箭要有靶子、驾车要有车辙规范一样。
《灵枢·经脉》这一篇，是医生必读的文献，只是它的文字参差不齐、繁杂深奥，学习的人对此感到苦恼。李东垣将其编成歌诀，本朝汪昂又将其整理得更加通顺流畅，可以说背诵起来已经没有困难了。然而，仅仅熟记这些经脉，虽然对各条经脉的起止和循行路线已经清楚明白，但人体的每一处往往有二三条甚至四五条经脉交错经过，这些情况都散见于各条经脉的描述之下，临证时匆忙之间，难免会有遗漏。因此，我不自量力，冒昧地将人身从头顶到足部，凡十二经络所经过的地方，汇总编辑在一起。另外，奇经八脉中，除了带脉以及阴维、阳维、阴跷、阳跷脉简明易懂、无需编纂外，将冲脉、任脉、督脉这三条也摘录进来。模仿四六句式的文体，编写成通俗的句子，不拘泥于对仗工整，不避讳粗俗，只求便于记忆诵读。使得人们提到身体的某个部位，就能立刻识别出是哪条经哪条络，这确实是临证时辨别经络、分经施治的快捷方式，但不敢声称熟记了这个总诀，就可以把经文丢在一边不读了。这就好比《本草纲目》已经按药物分类来治病，又有《本草类方》按病证来汇集药方，两者纵横配合使用，尤其让人心目了然。
头上诸脉
听说手三阴经，从内脏走向手部；（手太阴肺经、手少阴心经、手厥阴心包经。）手三阳经，从手部走向头部。（手少阳三焦经、手阳明大肠经、手太阳小肠经。）足三阳经，从头部走向足部；（足太阳膀胱经、足阳明胃经、足少阳胆经。）足三阴经，从足部走向腹部。（足太阴脾经、足少阴肾经、足厥阴肝经。）《灵枢》已经逐一分别说明，这里则合并编排以便于阅读。膀胱经的脉络交汇于头顶，肝经与督脉会合于头顶，联络脑部需要知道膀胱经和督脉。（为了便于诵读，所以使用简字诀，其余仿照此例。）发际线沿着胃经循行，胃经到达额颅。（发际下方即为额颅。）胆经抵住头额，向上延伸至额部的有督脉和膀胱经（在内侧直上），向外延伸的只有肝经（在外侧直出）。目系连接肝经，心脏的支脉并连于眼睛的内角，名叫内眦。小肠的支脉到达内眦，膀胱经起于内眦，胃经在旁侧约束固定。（小肠的支脉至目内眦，膀胱经起于目内眦，胃经起于鼻翼交点中，旁侧约束太阳经脉络，向下沿鼻外侧，约一作纳。）眼睛的外角，名叫外眦，胆经接应三焦经的支脉。（三焦经的支脉至目外眦，胆经起于目外眦。）小肠经也到达眼下为颧骨下缘，（音拙。）三焦、胆、小肠三条经脉的支脉在此汇合。（三条经脉都有支脉到达此处。）两旁为面颊，大肠、小肠、肝经、三焦经上下经过。（夹面横骨为面颊。大肠经贯穿面颊，小肠经上行面颊，肝经与三焦经均下行面颊，这四条经脉也都是支脉。）小肠经的支脉，斜行联络于颧骨。督脉到达鼻梁柱，胃经起于鼻根交点。（即山根。）大肠经的支脉，挟持鼻孔而在人中穴交接，再挟口而上。（从下齿出来还出口外，挟口与人中穴交接，左向右，右向左，向上挟持鼻孔，至迎香穴结束，与足阳明经交接。）胃经的脉络，沿鼻外侧而行并挟口环绕嘴唇，肝经又环绕唇内，胃经又在承浆穴交接。（下唇凹陷处。）胃经的脉络进入上齿，大肠经的支脉进入下齿，下颌前的大迎穴，胃经走出而胆经的支脉下行。（腮下为下颌，下颌前一寸三分动脉凹陷处为大迎，是胃经穴位。）下颌下为颐部，胃经循行而任脉上行。（胃经循行于颐后下廉。）耳上角，三焦经支脉走出而膀胱经支脉到达，客主人穴，胆经出走而胃经经过。（耳前上廉突起之骨曰客主人，是胆经穴位。胆经的支脉出走耳前，至目外眦后。胃经上行耳前，经过客主人穴。）三焦经的孙脉，出走于客主人穴之前。（《灵枢》说：经脉为里，分支横向的为络，络的别支为孙，这是支脉的歧出者，所以叫孙脉，后文仿照此例。）小肠经与三焦经、胆经，三支脉并入耳中。胆经和三焦经的支脉，系于耳后，胆经的支脉和胃经，循行在颊车穴。（耳下曲骨为颊车。）咽喉有小心（指心包或相关概念），脾经和肾经经过。（小肠经循咽，心经的支脉挟咽，脾经挟咽，肾经至咽。）喉咙为胃经的支脉，肾经的循行路径。（这两条经脉循喉咙。）肝经循喉咙之后而入咽颡。（肝经循喉咙之后，上入咽颡。咽颡又名颃颡，在上后方。）脾经连接舌根而散布于舌下，肾经挟持舌根。胃经的支脉下行在人迎穴。（结喉旁一寸五分动脉处。）这是诸阳经交会之处。先须大致陈述。
在身诸脉
原来脑后为项部，膀胱经、督脉和三焦经支脉所在。两旁为颈部，大肠经、小肠经支脉同胆经所在。肩胛骨之前的前缘，大肠经由此走出。肩后下方为膊部，膀胱经循行于此。三焦经、胆经、小肠经，交合于肩部。（在大椎穴会合者为肩。）肾经和督脉，并贯于脊柱。脊柱两旁第一行，相距各一寸五分。挟脊的肉为膂，膀胱经循行于此而挟脊，脊柱两旁第二行，相距各三寸。成片状的骨为肩胛，（音夹。）小肠经绕行而膀胱经支脉贯通。至于肩前凹陷处，名叫缺盆，三焦经、胆经、胃经、肠经，并入其中。因此胆经循胸，三焦经布散于膻中。（两乳中间为上焦膻中。）乳内侧乃胃经直下，腋窝中间胆经和心包络包裹。（心包络也有直者和支者的区分，恐怕词句繁杂，所以此处支者仅云包络。下文正脉，才用心包二字以区别。）腋下为心包络经过之处，心经直下而肺经横出。胁肋内部为胆经循行，心包络走出而肝经布散。肋骨之下为季胁，须认识胆经经过。脐下四寸为中极穴，应当知道任脉起始。（任脉起于中极穴之下。）然而任脉当脐，冲脉和胃经挟脐而行。脾经入腹，胃经支脉循腹。肝经上抵小腹，胆经和胃经出入于气街。（脐下毛际两旁动脉处，为气街，一名气冲，是胃经穴位。）胆经绕毛际，（曲骨之外为毛际。）肝经环绕阴器。这是在身躯的脉络，应当陈列明白。
脏腑中诸脉
那些在脏腑的脉络，太阳经与少阴经互为表里；（手太阳小肠经，手少阴心经。足太阳膀胱经，足少阴肾经。）少阳经与厥阴经互为表里；（手少阳三焦经，手厥阴心包经；足少阳胆经，足厥阴肝经。）阳明经与太阴经互为表里。（手阳明大肠经，手太阴肺经。足阳明胃经，足太阴脾经。）凡是这六经，脉络都互相联络，手足相同，无须详细赘述。（如肺经络大肠，大肠经络肺之类，十二经都仿照此例。）更有肺这一脏，心经直上而肾经直入，胃这一腑，肝经挟持而肺经和小肠经循行。（肝经挟胃，肺经回环循胃口，小肠经抵胃。）心有肾经的支络，肝有肾经的贯穿，肝经支脉又注入心中，肺经自然起于中焦，心下有膈膜，只有膀胱经没有涉及，十一经，都上下贯穿。（心下膈膜，遮隔浊气，不使上熏心肺。只有膀胱经的脉络，挟脊抵腰中，入循膂，络肾属膀胱，所以不贯膈。）这属于脏腑之间的脉络，也必须熟悉掌握。
手经诸脉
论及肩肘之间，号称肱。（音柔。俗名大臂。）肱之内侧有三条经脉，肺经循前而心经循后，心包络恰好循行在中间。肱的外侧有三条经脉，小肠经循后而大肠经循前，三焦经则循行在其外。肘下为臂，心包络仍在中间。（即上文提到的支脉。）大肠经循上而小肠经循下，心经仍循内后侧，上骨下廉之内，仍循肺经，臂外两骨之间，又出现三焦经。肺经进入寸口而循鱼际，（关前动脉为寸口，大拇指后肉隆起处为鱼际，鱼际间的穴位名称。）心经抵锐骨而入后侧，（心经抵掌后锐骨之端，入掌内后侧。）心包络直入于掌中，（从曲泽行掌后两筋之间，横纹凹陷处，入掌中。）三焦经仍循行于腕表，大肠经出于合谷，而上入两筋之中。（合谷俗名虎口，大肠经穴位。）小肠经循于外侧，而出腕下的踝骨。（循手外侧，上腕出踝中。踝，音华，上声。腕，外兑骨。）肺经出于大拇指，心包络出于中指，食指为肺经支脉和大肠经脉的交接。（肺经的支脉，直出食指内侧出其端。大肠经的脉，起于食指的端。）四指为心包络和三焦经脉的接应，三焦经又上行出于小指和食指之间。小指为心经和小肠经的接应。所谓手经，大致如此。
足经诸脉
至于尻上为腰部，膀胱经抵止。（背脊下横骨为腰。）腰下为臀部，膀胱经支脉贯通。两旁捷骨之下名叫髀枢，而胆经横过膀胱经经过。（一名髀厌，胆经横入髀厌中。膀胱经的支脉过髀枢。）前面气街之下号髀关，而胃经直下。大腿内侧，前缘为脾经而后缘为肾经，又有肝经在内侧循行于股阴。大腿外侧为髀，后侧为膀胱经支脉而前侧为胃经脉，（髀前膝上六寸，起肉为伏兔，胃经抵之。）又有胆经下循于髀阳。（循髀外行于太阳、阳明经之间。）因此挟膝筋中为髌骨。（即膝盖骨。）仍属胃经的直下，而膝内侧为脾经，（内前缘。）膝外侧为胆经，（外缘。）膝后弯曲处为腘，还是膀胱经支脉的直入，而肾经出于肝经之上，都在内侧。（肾经出于腘内缘，肝经上腘内缘。）脾肾上行于腘内，（腘，足肚也，二腓肠肌上腘内缘。）旁支贯通于腘外。（从中下贯腘内，出外踝之后。）胆经下于外辅骨前，而直抵绝骨的端。（腓骨为辅骨，外踝上为绝骨。）肝经斜于胫腓内侧，而胃经循胫外之缘。内踝有脾经在前肾经在后的区分，外踝有胆经在前膀胱经在后的区别。（跟上两旁，内外曰踝。）大拇指节后为核骨，脾经脉经过。足外侧骨为京骨，膀胱经支脉循行。肾经入跟中，胃经和胆经循跗，跗上缘乃肝经循行处。足心中有肾经脉斜趋。（涌泉穴。）大拇指甲后，属胆经支脉和肝经脉的交接。大拇指内侧，为胃经支脉和脾经脉的接应。中指内外，分胃经直脉和胃经支脉的入路。四指之间，又胆经直入而终。膀胱经支脉至于小指之外，肾经脉起于小指之下，足经的脉络，又如此也。
Treating disease requires distinguishing the meridians. The ancients used "meridian boundaries" to metaphorize them, just as archery requires a target and driving requires wheel ruts.
The chapter *Jingmai* (Meridians) in the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) is a must-read for physicians, yet its text is uneven and complex, causing difficulty for learners. Li Dongyuan compiled it into rhymed verses, and Wang Ang of this dynasty further refined it for fluency, making memorization effortless. However, merely mastering these meridian descriptions, while clarifying the start and end points and pathways of each individual meridian, is insufficient because multiple meridians (two, three, or even four or five) intersect at every part of the body. These intersections are scattered across various meridian descriptions, leading to omissions during hasty clinical practice. Therefore, presumptuously disregarding my own limitations, I have collected and organized all locations traversed by the twelve regular meridians from the vertex to the soles. Regarding the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, except for the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) and the Yin/Yang Wei and Chiao vessels, which are concise and clear, I have also excerpted the Chong, Ren, and Du vessels. Mimicking the four- and six-character structure, I composed colloquial sentences without strict parallelism or concern for vulgarity, solely aiming for ease of memorization. This allows one to identify specific meridians and collaterals upon mentioning any body part, serving as a shortcut for differentiating meridians and prescribing treatment clinically. However, I dare not claim that memorizing this summary obviates the need to read the original texts. It is akin to how the *Ben Cao Gang Mu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) treats diseases by herb, while the *Ben Cao Lei Fang* (Classified Formulas of Materia Medica) collects formulas by disease; their combined use brings clarity to both mind and eye.
**Meridians of the Head**
It is heard that the Three Yin Meridians of the Hand travel from the Zang organs to the hands: (Hand Taiyin Lung, Hand Shaoyin Heart, Hand Jueyin Pericardium.) The Three Yang Meridians of the Hand travel from the hands to the head: (Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao, Hand Yangming Large Intestine, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine.) The Three Yang Meridians of the Foot travel from the head to the feet: (Foot Taiyang Bladder, Foot Yangming Stomach, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder.) The Three Yin Meridians of the Foot travel from the feet to the abdomen: (Foot Taiyin Spleen, Foot Shaoyin Kidney, Foot Jueyin Liver.) The *Ling Shu* has already described them individually; here they are combined for easier reading. The Bladder meridian intersects at the vertex; the Liver and Du vessels meet at the vertex, connecting to the brain—know the Bladder and Du vessels. (Simplified characters are used for recitation convenience, following this pattern elsewhere.) The hairline follows the Stomach meridian, reaching the forehead and skull. (Below the hairline is the forehead.) The Gallbladder meridian reaches the forehead; those ascending to the forehead are the Du and Bladder vessels (straight up internally), while those exiting laterally are only the Liver meridian (straight out externally). The eye system connects to the Liver meridian; a branch of the Heart meridian runs alongside the inner canthus, named Neiqu (Inner Canthus). A small branch reaches the inner canthus where the Bladder meridian begins; the Stomach meridian is constrained nearby. (A branch of the Small Intestine meridian reaches the inner canthus; the Bladder meridian begins at the inner canthus; the Stomach meridian begins at the nasal bridge intersection, constraining the Taiyang meridian laterally, descending along the lateral nose; 'constrain' may be read as 'na'.) The outer canthus is named Ruiqi (Outer Canthus); the Gallbladder meridian connects with the Sanjiao branch. (The Sanjiao branch reaches the outer canthus; the Gallbladder meridian begins at the outer canthus.) The Small Intestine meridian also reaches below the eye at the cheekbone, (pronounced 'zhuo'). The Sanjiao, Gallbladder, and Small Intestine meridians converge here via branches. (All three have branches reaching this point.) The sides are the cheeks, traversed by the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Liver, and Sanjiao meridians. (The transverse bone of the face forms the cheek. The Large Intestine meridian passes through the cheek; the Small Intestine ascends the cheek; the Liver and Sanjiao descend the cheek; all four are branches.) A branch of the Small Intestine meridian斜ically connects to the zygoma. The Du vessel reaches the nasal column; the Stomach meridian begins at the nasal root intersection. (i.e., Shan Gen.) A branch of the Large Intestine meridian flanks the nostrils and intersects at the Philtrum, then crosses over (left to right, right to left), ascending to flank the nostrils, ending at Yingxiang acupoint, intersecting with the Foot Yangming Stomach meridian.) The Stomach meridian follows the lateral nose, flanks the mouth, and encircles the lips; the Liver meridian also encircles the inside of the lips; the Stomach meridian intersects at Chengjiang. (Depression in the lower lip.) The Stomach meridian enters the upper teeth; a branch of the Large Intestine meridian enters the lower teeth. At Daying before the chin, the Stomach meridian exits while the Gallbladder branch descends. (The area below the jaw is the chin; Daying is 1.3 cun anterior to the chin in the pulsating depression, an acupoint of the Stomach meridian.) Below the chin is the Yi region; the Stomach meridian follows while the Ren meridian ascends. (The Stomach meridian follows the posterior-lower margin of Yi.) At the upper angle of the ear, the Sanjiao branch exits and the Bladder branch arrives at the Keyuzhuren acupoint; the Gallbladder meridian exits while the Stomach meridian passes. (Keyuzhuren is the protruding bone at the anterolateral aspect of the ear, an acupoint of the Gallbladder meridian. The Gallbladder branch exits anterior to the ear to the outer canthus. The Stomach meridian ascends anterior to the ear, passing Keyuzhuren.) The Sun (Grandchild) vessels of the Sanjiao exit anterior to Keyuzhuren. (*Ling Shu* states: Meridians are the interior; branches crossing horizontally are Collaterals; distinct parts of Collaterals are Sun vessels. This is a divergent branch, hence called Sun vessel, following this pattern subsequently.) The Small Intestine, Sanjiao, and Gallbladder meridians merge three branches into the ear. The Gallbladder meridian and Sanjiao branch attach behind the ear; the Gallbladder branch and Stomach meridian follow the Jiache acupoint. (The curved bone below the ear is Jiache.) The pharynx involves the "Xiao Xin" (Lesser Heart/Pericardium), traversed by the Spleen and Kidney meridians. (The Small Intestine meridian follows the pharynx; a branch of the Heart meridian flanks the pharynx; the Spleen meridian flanks the pharynx; the Kidney meridian reaches the pharynx.) The larynx is the path of the Stomach branch and the Kidney meridian. (These two meridians follow the larynx.) The Liver meridian follows posterior to the larynx and enters the epiglottis/pharynx. (The Liver meridian follows posterior to the larynx, ascending into the epiglottis/pharynx. Epiglottis/pharynx is also called Hangsang, located posterior-superiorly.) The Spleen meridian connects to the root of the tongue and disperses under it; the Kidney meridian flanks the root of the tongue. The Stomach branch descends at Renying. (Pulsating depression 1.5 cun lateral to the thyroid cartilage.) This is the convergence of all Yang meridians. A general overview is presented first.
**Meridians of the Body**
Posteriorly, the neck is the domain of the Bladder, Du, and Sanjiao branches. Laterally, the neck contains the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Gallbladder meridians. Anterior to the scapula is the path of the Large Intestine meridian. Posterior-inferior to the shoulder is the Bo region, traversed by the Bladder meridian. The Sanjiao, Gallbladder, and Small Intestine meridians intersect at the shoulder. (Meeting at Dazhui constitutes the shoulder.) The Kidney and Du meridians penetrate the spine. In the first row lateral to the spine, spaced 1.5 cun apart, lies the Lv muscle (paraspinal muscles), followed by the Bladder meridian. In the second row, spaced 3 cun apart, lies the Scapula (blade-like bone), circled by the Small Intestine meridian and penetrated by the Bladder branch. Anteriorly, the depression before the shoulder is Quepen; the Sanjiao, Gallbladder, Stomach, and Intestine meridians enter here. Thus, the Gallbladder meridian follows the chest, and the Sanjiao distributes at Shanzhong. (Shanzhong is between the nipples, representing Upper Jiao.) The medial breast line is the direct descent of the Stomach meridian; the axilla center is enclosed by the Gallbladder and Pericardium meridians. (The Pericardium has direct and branch distinctions; to avoid complexity, only "Pericardium" is mentioned for branches here. The main meridian uses "Heart Pericardium" later for distinction.) The axilla is passed by the Pericardium; the Heart meridian descends directly while the Lung meridian emerges transversely. The interior of the hypochondrium is the path of the Gallbladder meridian; the Pericardium emerges and the Liver meridian distributes. Below the costal margin is the Ji Xie (hypochondriac region), marked by the Gallbladder meridian. Zhongji, 4 cun below the umbilicus, marks the origin of the Ren meridian. (The Ren meridian originates below Zhongji.) However, the Ren meridian aligns with the umbilicus, while the Chong and Stomach meridians flank it. The Spleen meridian enters the abdomen; the Stomach branch follows the abdomen. The Liver meridian ascends to the lower abdomen; the Gallbladder and Stomach meridians pass through Qijie. (Qijie, also known as Qichong, is the pulsating area bilateral to the pubic hairline, an acupoint of the Stomach meridian.) The Gallbladder meridian circles the pubic hairline. (Outside Qugu is the pubic hairline.) The Liver meridian surrounds the genitalia. These are the meridians of the trunk, listed clearly.
**Meridians within Zang-Fu Organs**
Regarding Zang-Fu meridians, Taiyang and Shaoyin are exterior-interior pairs; (Hand Taiyang Small Intestine, Hand Shaoyin Heart; Foot Taiyang Bladder, Foot Shaoyin Kidney.) Shaoyang and Jueyin are exterior-interior pairs; (Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao, Hand Jueyin Pericardium; Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder, Foot Jueyin Liver.) Yangming and Taiyin are exterior-interior pairs. (Hand Yangming Large Intestine, Hand Taiyin Lung; Foot Yangming Stomach, Foot Taiyin Spleen.) These six pairs of meridians interconnect mutually, consistent in both hands and feet, requiring no detailed elaboration. (e.g., Lung meridian connects to Large Intestine, Large Intestine to Lung; all twelve meridians follow this.) Additionally, for the Lung organ, the Heart meridian ascends directly and the Kidney meridian enters directly; for the Stomach organ, the Liver meridian flanks it, and the Lung and Small Intestine meridians follow. (Liver meridian flanks Stomach; Lung meridian loops back to stomach opening; Small Intestine meridian reaches stomach.) The Heart has collateral connections from the Kidney meridian; the Liver is penetrated by the Kidney meridian; a Liver branch injects into the Heart; the Lung meridian originates from the Middle Jiao. Below the Heart lies the Diaphragm; only the Bladder meridian does not traverse it. Eleven meridians penetrate vertically above and below the diaphragm. (The diaphragm below the Heart blocks turbid Qi from steaming the Heart and Lungs. Only the Bladder meridian, following the spine to the waist, entering the Lv muscle, connecting to the Kidney and belonging to the Bladder, does not cross the diaphragm.) These internal Zang-Fu connections must be thoroughly mastered.
**Meridians of the Hand**
Between the shoulder and elbow lies the Gong (upper arm). (Pronounced 'rou'. Commonly called upper arm.) There are three meridians on the medial side of the Gong: the Lung meridian follows anteriorly, the Heart meridian posteriorly, and the Pericardium exactly in between. There are three meridians on the lateral side: the Small Intestine follows posteriorly, the Large Intestine anteriorly, and the Sanjiao externally. Below the elbow is the forearm. The Pericardium remains in the middle. (Referring to the branch mentioned above.) The Large Intestine follows superiorly and the Small Intestine inferiorly; the Heart meridian still follows the posterior-medial margin. Internally to the lower edge of the ulna, the Lung meridian continues; between the two bones of the forearm laterally, the Sanjiao reappears. The Lung meridian enters Cun Kou (pulse position) and follows Yu Ji. (Cun Kou is the arterial pulse anterior to the Guan; Yu Ji is the fleshy eminence posterior to the thumb; acupoints lie between them.) The Heart meridian reaches the sharp bone and enters the posterior margin. (The Heart meridian reaches the distal end of the styloid process of the ulna, entering the posterior medial palm.) The Pericardium enters directly into the palm center. (From Quze, between the two tendons posterior to the wrist, in the transverse crease depression, entering the palm.) The Sanjiao still follows the dorsal wrist; the Large Intestine emerges at Hegu and enters between the two tendons superiorly. (Hegu, commonly called Tiger's Mouth, is an acupoint of the Large Intestine meridian.) The Small Intestine meridian follows the lateral side and emerges at the ankle below the wrist. (Following the lateral hand, ascending the wrist, emerging at the ankle. Ankle, pronounced 'hua', rising tone. Wrist, the radial/ulnar prominence.) The Lung meridian emerges at the thumb; the Pericardium at the middle finger; the index finger is the junction of the Lung branch and Large Intestine meridian. (The Lung branch emerges straight from the medial side of the index finger tip. The Large Intestine meridian originates at the tip of the index finger.) The ring finger is the connection for the Pericardium and Sanjiao meridians; the Sanjiao ascends between the little and index fingers. The little finger is the junction of the Heart and Small Intestine meridians. Such are the meridians of the hand, generally speaking.
**Meridians of the Foot**
Above the sacrum is the lumbar region, reached by the Bladder meridian. (The transverse bone below the spinal column is the lumbar region.) Below the lumbar region is the buttock, penetrated by the Bladder branch. Below the Jie Gu on both sides is the Bi Shu (hip joint), crossed by the Gallbladder meridian and passed by the Bladder meridian. (Also called Bi Yan; the Gallbladder meridian enters Bi Yan transversely. The Bladder branch passes Bi Shu.) Anteriorly, below Qijie is Bi Guan, descended directly by the Stomach meridian. The medial thigh has the Spleen meridian anteriorly and the Kidney meridian posteriorly, with the Liver meridian following internally on the thigh yin. The lateral thigh is Bi; the posterior is the Bladder branch and the anterior is the Stomach meridian. (Six cun above the knee anterior to Bi, the muscular prominence is Futu, reached by the Stomach meridian.) The Gallbladder meridian also descends along Bi Yang. (Running laterally along the thigh between the Taiyang and Yangming meridians.) Thus, between the knee tendons lies the Patella (Bin), directly descended by the Stomach meridian. The Spleen meridian is at the medial knee, (medial anterior margin.) the Gallbladder meridian at the lateral knee, (lateral margin.) and the popliteal fossa (Nao) is entered directly by the Bladder branch. The Kidney meridian emerges above the Liver meridian, both on the medial side. (The Kidney meridian emerges at the medial Nao margin; the Liver meridian ascends the medial Nao margin.) The Spleen and Kidney ascend the medial Nao, (Nao refers to the calf; the medial margin above the two gastrocnemius heads.) while the branch penetrates the lateral Nao. (Descending from the middle through the medial Nao, exiting posterior to the lateral malleolus.) The Gallbladder meridian descends anterior to the lateral fibular bone, reaching directly to the end of Juegu. (The fibula is the auxiliary bone; Juegu is above the lateral malleolus.) The Liver meridian slants along the medial tibia, while the Stomach meridian follows the lateral tibia. At the medial malleolus, the Spleen is anterior and the Kidney posterior; at the lateral malleolus, the Gallbladder is anterior and the Bladder posterior. (Flanking the ankle, medial and lateral are called Ankle.) Posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is the He Gu (nucleus bone), passed by the Spleen meridian. Jing Gu is the bone on the lateral foot, followed by the Bladder branch. The Kidney meridian enters the heel; the Stomach and Gallbladder meridians follow the dorsum of the foot; the lateral margin of the dorsum is the path of the Liver meridian. The sole of the foot sees the Kidney meridian sloping towards Yongquan acupoint. (Yongquan acupoint.) Behind the nail of the big toe is the junction of the Gallbladder branch and Liver meridian. The medial side of the big toe is the connection of the Stomach branch and Spleen meridian. Between the medial and lateral aspects of the middle finger/toe, the direct Stomach meridian and Stomach branch enter separately. Between the fourth toes, the Gallbladder meridian enters directly and terminates. The Bladder branch reaches the lateral side of the little toe; the Kidney meridian originates below the little toe. Such are the meridians of the foot.